12
e-Newsletter
20/2019
24 May 2019
SA's fiscal crisis, price volatility among top energy risks for 2019

The South African National Energy Association (Sanea) has outlined its nine top energy risks for 2019 in its  South African Energy Risk Report 2019, with price volatility and uncertainty, and South Africa's fiscal crisis, among the top risks at both the country and industry level.  The issue of price volatility and uncertainty was significant as it impacted on many other sectors and on the most vulnerable in society. Sanea members prioritised 20 risks from an initial list of 50 energy risks. This was whittled down to the overall top nine risks for the country for 2019. Please click Sanea's South African Energy Risk Report 2019 to peruse.
Unchanged interest rate leaves door open to possible rate cut in future

Interest_rates
The widely expected Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision to again leave interest rates unchanged reflects the MPC's majority view of the present balance of risks facing the economy, says North-West University Business School economist Prof Raymond Parsons. But on both growth and inflation grounds the case for a future interest rate cut is now strengthening. With various authoritative growth forecasts for 2019 being recently steadily revised downwards to about 1% and future inflation coming closer to the desired 4.5% midpoint of the inflation target band, the balance of risks in the months ahead may well tilt towards the prospect of lower interest rates. Press release
Terrorism risk remains complex

Terrorism remains a dynamic global risk and a serious threat for people and organisations. The evolution of terrorism risk exposes many countries to complex threats from both international and home-grown groups, as well as individuals acting on their own, known as "lone wolves." Ebbs and flows in terrorism are common, but the evolving and ever-present nature of this risk requires people and organisations to be continuously on guard. Marsh's 2019 Terrorism Risk Insurance Report explores the state of terrorism and the terrorism insurance marketplace in key regions. Please click here to peruse.
FMD succsessfully contained, DAFF awaits OIE recognition

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)  is confident that the clinical end point of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Limpopo was reached on 31 January 2019 and the final report on this event was submitted to the OIE on 7 May 2019. As a result of the confidence that the FMD outbreak was successfully contained, South Africa applied to the OIE for recognition of a FMD containment zone. The remainder of South Africa's free zone without vaccination was not compromised by this outbreak. The international recognition of a containment zone will reaffirm the official recognition of the free zone status of the rest of the country. Please click here to peruse DAFF's final report on the FMD outbreak.
AGRIBUSINESS RESEARCH
Single market could be game changer for Africa (or not)

The International Monetary Fund recently published a paper titled: "Is the African Continental Free Trade Area a game changer for the continent?" It's a good question. In 2018, member countries of the African Union (AU) took a major step towards boosting regional trade and economic integration by establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). They agreed to eliminate tariffs on most goods, liberalise trade in key services, address non-tariff obstacles to intra-regional trade - and eventually create a continental single market with free movement of labour and capital, with the aim of improving intra-Africa trade beyond the current 20%. Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo shares his insight in the linked article written for and first published on Moneyweb.
US-China trade row: SA should hold course on agriculture exports

One of the questions often asked is whether the US-China trade friction presents any opportunities in the near term that South Africa's agricultural sector can explore.  The question is typically premised on two points. First, the view that China's retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products would lead to a trade diversion, and hence, South Africa should participate in this process. Second, China is a growing market for agricultural products, which in 2018 amounted to US$129-billion, according to data from Trade Map. Wandile Sihlobo shares his insight in the linked article written for and first published on Daily Maverick.
OTHER NEWS
Can Ramaphosa do it?

"Following South Africa's recent parliamentary election, President Cyril Ramaphosa has a long economic reform agenda and a public impatient for results. He will need both skill and statesmanship to overcome the corruption and bureaucratic inertia holding back the country's economy." Please click here for an opinion piece by Andrew Donaldson, a former deputy director-general of South Africa's National Treasury, and currently senior research associate at the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, written for and first published on Project Syndicate.
Western Cape young farmers geared for the  future
 
On a cool autumn evening this past Wednesday, Johan van der Schyff was recognised as the Western Cape's Young Farmer of the Year. Whilst the winner's achievements should be recognised and applauded, it was the positive attitude of all the young farmers present that impressed on the day. In the build-up to the event, Theo Boshoff from Agbiz was fortunate enough to participate in a panel discussion alongside Johann Norman, the reigning farmer of the year Pieter Graaf and Philip Oosthuizen from Sernick. The panel was tasked with exploring the role transformation will play in the sustainability of the agricultural value chain and was expertly led in its task by Johann Kotze from SAPPO. Theo Boshoff reports in the linked article.
FAO E-learning course on "Sustainable land management and land restoration" now available online

The FAO is pleased to introduce the e-learning course on "Sustainable land management and land restoration", which has been developed in collaboration with CIHEAM-Bari, WOCAT, ELD and University of Leeds. The course focuses on sustainable land management (SLM) practices, and their place within the global development agenda, specifically in order to achieve SDG target 15.3, which aims "to achieve a land degradation-neutral world".  The e-course includes five interactive lessons that introduce participants to a variety of tools and methods available for planning, implementation and monitoring of SLM. Policymakers at different levels, extension service agents, practitioners, land and water management technicians and land users are the target audience.  The course was designed for self-paced learning, is flexible and freely accessible online. For more information and to take the course, please see the page under the FAO E-learning centre.
Register now for IFAMA World Conference in China

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) will be hosting its 2019 World Conference in Hangzhou, China from 22 - 27 June 2019. To qualify for the early bird registration fee, be sure to register before 30 May. Prof Johan van Rooyen of Stellenbosch University shares a few of the conference highlights that will make the trip to Hangzhou worthwhile.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Manufacturing Circle Trade Awareness Workshop
29 May 2019  | 61 Katherine Street | Sandton

SA Large Herds Conference
3-5 June 2019  The Boardwalk  Port Elizabeth

Subtrop Transformation Summit 2019
19 June 2019 | Ingwenyama Conference & Sports Resort | White River

Trade Development Forum
24-25 June 2019 | Gallagher Convention Centre | Johannesburg

2019 Cannabis Conference
Theme: The big business of cannabis
27-28 June 2019 | Emperors Palace Convention Centre Johannesburg
More information

13th Agribusiness Africa Conference 
10 July 2019 Premier Hotel | OR Tambo Airport
More information

 
PMA Fresh Connections: SA Conference and Trade Show  
30-31 July 2019 | Century City | Cape Town

Agbiz Grain 2019 Symposium 
14 August 2019  |  CSIR International Convention Centre | Pretoria


Peritum Agri-HR Summit 2019
21-22 August 2019 Bloemfontein

ARC Agri Indaba
29-30 August 2019 | Animal Production Campus Irene | Pretoria

Agritech Africa
17-19  June 2020 | Cape Town International Convention Centre  | Cape Town

Agritec Africa
19-21 June 2019 | Kenyatta International Conference & Convention Center (KICC), Nairobi  | Kenya


AGBIZ MEMBERSHIP
Why join Agbiz?
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  • 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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