The new Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development led by Minister Thoko Didiza, Deputy Minister Sdumo Dlamini and Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha held their first engagement with the executive of the five agriculture state-owned entities. Chairpersons and chief executives of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Office of the Valuer General, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) attended the meeting. Minister Didiza asserted the need for the SOEs to support the governing party mandate in transforming agriculture, developing the agricultural economy and ensuring food security. The new leadership will meet the entities individually in the weeks to come. Please click here to peruse. 

The Competition Commission has initiated a market inquiry into the South African grocery retail sector. The inquiry was established on 30 October 2015. The Commission has initiated the inquiry as it has reason to believe that there are features present within this sector that may prevent, distort or restrict competition, and to pursue the purpose of the Competition Act. The Grocery Retail Market Inquiry published its preliminary report on 29 May 2019. Broadly, the inquiry found that there is a combination of features in the South African grocery retail sector that may prevent, distort or restrict competition. In particular, there are three principal areas of concern that warrant remedial action, namely long-term exclusive lease agreements and buyer power; competitiveness of small and independent retailers; and the regulatory landscape. Please click here for the media statement on the inquiry and on Grocery Retail Market Inquiry to peruse the report.

Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo and Theo Vorster of Galileo Capital discussed developments in agriculture and what the new agriculture minister could potentially prioritise in the near term with Waldimar Pelser in KykNET's programme KykNET Verslag earlier this week . Please click here to watch the interview.

In a press statement, Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) announced that it has successfully completed its separation from DowDuPont, becoming a global pure-play agriculture company that offers the solutions farmers need to maximise yield and profitability. Corteva Agriscience was launched with global scale and a balanced offering across seed and crop protection, underpinned by expanding digital capabilities and powered by a rich innovation pipeline in the industry.  Press release

The latest edition of Vinpro's Business News explains how the smaller than expected 2019 crop - on the back of a low carryover stock - led to a significant reduction in export volumes, shortage in certain cultivars, upward trend in producer prices and perhaps, most positive, also a new wave of optimism in placing orders for planting material. A document detailing bulkwine prices, 2018 vs YTD 2019, was also included. 

The SA Innovation Summit has partnered with wine industry body, Winetech in search for innovators and disrupters - providing unique solutions and products which can be commercialised, to wine producers and the agri-tech industries.  The competition will focus on the following areas: climate change; water reclamation and resourcing; genetics; machine learning, AI and big data; and any other areas which increase efficiency, profitability and environmental sustainability.  The finalists of the competition will go through to the Winetech Pitching Den which will take place at the 2019 SA Innovation Summit, to be held in Cape Town. Please click here for more information.