Daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends are available on the Agbiz website  www.agbiz.co.za

As we wait for December 2016 export figures, we expect South Africa's potatoes export volumes to drop in 2016 by as much as 18% year-on-year. By November 2016, South Africa had exported 102 090 tons of potatoes, which is 28% lower compared to the same time in 2015. An optimistic view places December 2016 exports at between 12 000 tons and 16 000 tons, and we expect total 2016 annual exports at somewhere close to 120 000 tons.  Agbiz economists, Tinashe Kapuya and Wandile Sihlobo, provide more information in the   linked document» 

The Ministry of Finance has finally gazetted the tariff adjustment for sugar, which became be zero percent effective 10 February 2017 - down from R319/ton. This trigger was the 10th tariff adjustment over a 35-month period. The last adjustment occurred on 16 September 2016 when the tariff was adjusted from R1 444 per ton to the R319 per ton.  Agbiz economists, Tinashe Kapuya and Wandile Sihlobo, provides more information in the  linked article»

Rain for Africa (R4A) is a project that envisaged to make integrated weather and agriculture information available to a wide variety of users. It aims to make a significant contribution to empowering farmers by providing the correct information to help improve the quality and quantity of food production. Mariana Purnell of Agbiz Grain attended the technical workshop which focused on bringing together various role players who can contribute to the awareness of the project and also advise on improving participation - Read more»

The Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) has announced the launch of its third South African Risk Report. This report is the product of an extensive period of interaction with IRMSA members, other professional bodies and subject matter experts, through online surveys and other engagements as well as evaluating events throughout 2016.  General Manager of Agbiz Grain, Mariana Purnell, has indicated to the Risk Intelligence Committee that agriculture does not feature at all in their survey. The committee has undertaken to rectify it in the 2017 survey - Read more»

PwC has retained its position as the number one professional services brand, and one of the world's top ten most powerful brands in the Brand Finance Index 2017. The Brand Finance index is an annual assessment of the brand value of over 500 of the world's best known businesses - Read more»

Monsanto Company was named one of the 2017 World's most admired companies by Fortune Magazine, attaining the rank of No. 2 within the company's industry sector.  Hugh Grant, Monsanto Chairman and CEO said, this ranking not only celebrates Monsanto's pledge to operating with transparency and reporting progress, but also underscores our global commitment to develop innovations and digital tools to help farmers address global issues such as climate change and food security -  Media release»

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a serious viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes and can cause abortions and death in cattle, sheep and goats. People can also become infected with RVF, which can be a serious disease in humans. Good rainfall, as we have recently experienced, will result in an increase in the number of mosquitoes which may transmit this disease - Media release»

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is a highly contagious venereal disease of equines and zebra caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. It is associated with economic losses due to its detrimental effects on equine reproductive efficiency and the costs related to the treatment and testing for the disease. CEM is mainly transmitted by both natural and artificial breeding but can also be transmitted by direct or indirect contact e.g. through shared grooming equipment, halters and even clothes and people - Media release»