12
e-Newsletter
36/17
29 September 2017
POLICY AND LEGISLATION

T his past week the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Food Security Index (GFSI), sponsored by DuPont, was released. The GFSI provides a common framework for understanding the root causes of food insecurity by looking at the dynamics of food systems around the world. It seeks to answer the central question: How food-secure is a country? The GFSI has recorded a slippage in global food security over the past year, after four years of consecutive food security gains. Key factors contributing to this deterioration include urban growth and migration, greater household expenditure on food, political instability, and pressure on food safety nets and international food aid programmes. The decline in global food security is even more concerning given climate-related and natural resource risks facing countries around the globe, which will intensify in the future. Facing up to these risks will require significant collaborative efforts by governments, the private sector, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders. Please click on GFSI 2017  to peruse a must read. 
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE
Promise of rain bodes well for food-price inflation 

Although food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation decelerated to 5.7% year on year in August - its lowest level since November 2015 - the average hides wide disparities in the basket. For instance, meat recorded a 15% year-on-year increase, its highest inflation level since December 2011.  Meat has a relatively high weighting of 5.46% in the headline consumer price index basket, which means it accounts for about a third of the food and non-alcoholic beverages basket.  Click here to read Agbiz economist Wandile Sihlobo's column which appeared in Business Day on 28 September 2017.

Contrary to expectations, SA wheat production estimates revised upward Contrary to market expectations of a decline in South Africa's 2017 second wheat production estimate, the National Crop Estimate Committee boosted its view by 7% from the previous estimate to 1.7 million tonnes.  Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist, provides more information in the linked update»
SA food products price inflation decelerates to 1.9% y/y 

Food products price inflation decelerated to 1.9% y/y in August 2017, from 3.3% y/y in July 2017. Unlike the previous months, where this trend was mainly driven by a decline in field crop and dairy prices, meat and meat products also contributed last month. This was partly due to an uptick in monthly slaughtering activity, particularly cattle and sheep. With that said, there are still risks associated with the spread of avian influenza, albeit having affected a relatively small share of broilers at the moment.  Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist, provides more information in the  linked update»

Click here to read the daily market view on commodities and the weekly wrap.  
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT INTELLIGENCE
Africa's CFTA promises to resolve the continent's spaghetti challenge of trade agreements 

The CFTA is seen as a strategic tool that will deepen regional and continental intra-trade, subsequently boost business and economic integration of 55 African states under a pan-African free trade area. However, it is imperative to note that it's not only tariffs that inhibit intra-African trade, but also trade related infrastructure. Trade facilitation measures, such as simplification of customs, are also fundamental to boosting African's internal trade. Sifiso Ntombela, Agbiz Head: International Trade and Investment Intelligence, provides more information in the linked article»
AGBIZ GRAIN

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) launched an insightful study on  Revitalising Agricultural Education and Training in South Africa   on 27 September 2017.  Mariana Purnell of Agbiz Grain attended the event where Prof Frans Swanepoel, Chair of the Agricultural Education and Training Panel, presented the findings and recommendations. The study was funded by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) -  Read more»

AGRIBUSINESS CENTENARY BURSARY

The Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) is making an annual bursary of R34 000 (THIRTY-FOUR THOUSAND RAND) available to a South African student registered for a Masters or PhD degree in either agricultural economics or agribusiness management related fields, at any recognised South African university.  The c losing date for applications is 8 December 2017.  More information»
OTHER NEWS
CALL FOR INTEREST:
SA Seed Legislation - Information day and workshop

The South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) intends on hosting a workshop and presentations to those interested in, and affected by South African Seed Legislation. This would be of benefit to farmers, producers and cleaners of seed, anyone who applies chemicals to seed, sellers and marketers of seed, chemical companies that either directly or indirectly supply seed treatments or coatings, agricultural businesses licensing or dealing with seed, seed companies and plant breeders.   Read more»
MPO DAIRY MARKET TRENDS:
Dairy product prices at three-year high

International dairy product prices recovered since July 2016. Prices increased by 47% during 2016 to reach a 30-month high in December 2016. After a slight downturn at the beginning of 2017, prices increased steadily. The Global Dairy Trade index is currently at 1075, 99% up on the lowest level in 2015.   Read more»
UPCOMING EVENTS
2018 Agbiz Congress: 7-8 June 2018

It is our pleasure to inform you that the 2018 Agbiz Congress will be held on 7-8 June 2018 at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. 
C ongress theme: Uncertainty Creates Opportunity. 

Find linked the sponsorship and advertising levels containing information to assist with your planning. Please note:  Sponsorship bookings will open at 12:00 on Monday, 9 October 2017, and no bookings will be accepted prior to the abovementioned date and time.
TXF Cape Town 2017 
3-4 October 2017 | Table Bay Hotel
Agbiz CEO, Dr John Purchase, will be speaking in the opening session on making the agri value chain working for all participants.

Agbiz information session for agribusinesses - Fully booked
5 October 2017 | Western Cape 
Programme
More information

Werksmans Attorneys Land reform seminar
Dissecting facts from fiction
5 October 2017 | V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
More information

Transport Forum month of Transport Celebrations 
5 October 2017 | Johannesburg
More information

East and Southern Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference 2017
9-11 October 2017 | Maputo | Mozambique
More information

Undercover Farming Conference Western Cape 2017
11 - 12 October 2017 |  Groot Drakenstein, Cape Town

Agri-food Fest Conference
13 October 2017 | Pretoria Show Grounds

AGRI 5 Commodities Workshop & Expo
20-21 October 2017 |  East London Show Grounds
More information:  info@atoneworks.co.za

13th SIAMAP International Show
31 October to 5 November 2017 | Tunisia

African Agri Investment Indaba 2017
20-22 November 2017 | CTICC | Cape Town
More information

28 - 30 November |  Johannesburg
More information

BFAP ReNAPRI Stakeholder Conference
30 Nov - 1 Dec 2017 | Lagoon Beach Hotel | Cape Town
Information: invitesrenapri@gmail.com

International Conference on Global Food Security 
3-6 December 2017 | CTICC | Cape Town
Conference Theme: Food Security: Global challenges, local solutions
More information
AGBIZ MEMBERSHIP
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.

Please visit the Agbiz website for more information.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on  Twitter  for quick updates and news.

Like us on Facebook to receive notifications of news.

Third-party website links to this newsletter
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.
In this newsletter