 In 2017 the agricultural sector provided a significant boost to the national economy and assisted it from falling into a protracted technical recession. This was on the back of exceptionally good rainfall early in 2017 that resulted in record maize (17,4 million metric tons) and soybean (1,3 million metric tons) crops, amongst others, and despite severe drought conditions in the Western Cape. Agriculture GDP is however highly volatile over seasons and largely dependent on favourable agricultural conditions. Dr John Purchase, Agbiz CEO, provides more information in the linked article»
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 As most South Africans are by now aware, the ANC's elective conference in December resolved to speed up the process of land reform by considering the possibility of amending the Constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation, subject to a 'sustainability test'. Since that announcement, the media and social media has been awash with statements such as 'land grabs' and comparisons to the land seizures that took place in Zimbabwe. Although these comparisons are not unfounded, there are a number of factors which have to be taken into consideration and it is necessary to place the current situation, including all of the variables which are still very unclear, into context. Theo Boshoff, Agbiz Head: Legal Intelligence provides more information in the linked article»
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Statement of the Monetary Policy Committee
 On January 18, the South African Reserve Bank left the repurchase rate unchanged at 6.75%. Five Monetary Policy Committee members preferred this unchanged stance, while one would have preferred a 25 basis point cut. Overall, the decision was largely in line with market expectations.
Risks to the inflation outlook continued to be assessed to the upside, although the degree subsided somewhat following the recent positive developments in the economy and political environment. The full statement can be accessed
here»
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A fuel prices set to decline in February 2018
After a positive start to the year with a marginal decline in fuel prices, February 2018 could bring a further reduction in fuel prices, thanks to the stronger domestic currency. It is still early to be certain about the scale, but the current estimates suggest that prices of petrol and diesel could fall by 3% and 1%, respectively, from January 2018 levels. From an agricultural perspective, this relief comes at a period that is characterized by reduced activity in the farms, thus lower fuel consumption. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist provides more information in the
linked update»
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Click here to read the daily market view on commodities and the weekly wrap.
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT INTEL
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 Farmers and agribusinesses are facing a triple challenge of coping with increasing input costs, adjustment costs to low-carbon economy and adapting to disruptive technologies brought by the fourth industrial revolution. In the linked think-piece,
Sifiso Ntombela, Agbiz Head: International Trade and Investment,
explores ways in which farmers and agribusinesses can overcome these challenges and continue to contribute to the food security goal.
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2018 Agbiz Congress - Uncertainty Creates Opportunity
We are delighted to announce that registration for the 2018 Agbiz Congress is now open! Please note that only 400 seats are available. Agbiz will allocate these on a first-booked-first-paid basis. Registration will be closing on 10 May 2018 or as soon as the maximum registrations have been finalised, whichever occurs first.
Important dates
Agbiz Congress: 7-8 June 2018
Welcome Function: 6 June 2018
Gala Dinner: 7 June 2018
Agbiz AGM: 8 June 2018
* Early bird special delegate rates end on 10 March 2018.
Register here»
Main Agbiz Congress sponsors
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Diamond sponsor
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Platinum sponsor
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Gold sponsor
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Silver sponsor
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Intellectual Property and South African Seed Legislation Workshop
13 February 2018 | Pretoria
15 February 2018 |Cape Town
Skills Development Summit
15-16 February 2018 | CSIR | Pretoria
Africa Energy Indaba Conference & Exhibition
20 - 21 February 2018 I Sandton Convention Centre
Agbiz AgriBEE Information Session
21 February 2018 - Pretoria
22 February 2018 - Cape Town
More information will follow soon
Agbiz Information Session
1 March 2018 | Pretoria
More information will follow soon
Landbouweekblad konferensie
Herlewingslandbou is boere se kostedoeltreffende wapen teen stygende insetkoste en klimaatsverandering
19-20 March 2017 | Reitz
GOSA Symposium 2018
22-23 March 2018 | Mossel Bay
More information
International Sorghum Conference
9-12 April 2018 | Cape Town
More information
21 to 25 May 2018
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) are seeking candidates to participate in the inaugural regional training workshop on science diplomacy to be held in South Africa.
More information
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Being a member of Agbiz provides various benefits and opportunities
- Agbiz is the only organisation that serves the broader and common over-arching business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa.
- Agbiz addresses the legislative and policy environment on the many fronts that it impacts on the agribusiness environment.
- Agbiz facilitates considerable top-level networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment.
- Agbiz research provides sector specific information for informed decision making.
- Agbiz newsletter publishes members' press releases and member product announcements.
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Third-party website links to this newsletter
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The Agbiz Newsletter may contain a few links to websites that belong to third parties unrelated to us. By making these links available, we are not endorsing third-party websites, their content, products, services or their events. Agbiz seeks to protect the integrity of its newsletter and links placed upon it, and therefore welcomes any feedback.
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