The deadline for ABC Agbiz Congress registrations has been extended for another week.

www.agbiz2012.co.za

4 June 2012

15 August 2012

7 November 2012

 SA Grain Information Services

SAGIS's Weekly Bulletin 

includes a collection of local and international grain information such as prices, stocks, import parity prices, economic indicators, the food prices of Statistics SA, weather conditions, etc.
 www.sagis.org.za

We are happy to announce that registrations for the ABC Agbiz Congress are in, the speakers are lined up and the venue is ready!
A couple of seats reserved for late registrations are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  
 

Monetary policy stance maintained

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released a statement on 24 May 2012, after their MPC meeting. The MPC decided to maintain the accommodative monetary policy stance.

The inflation forecast appears to be more favourable, yet there is a renewed risk from a possible further weakening of the exchange rate. Countervailing pressures are expected from the weaker demand and lower commodity prices, particularly of oil. The MPC judged these risks to the inflation outlook to be on the upside.
 

Provided the continued absence of clear signs of excess demand, as well as the unceasing highly volatile and uncertain environment, the accommodative monetary policy stance is a relieve. The SARB repurchase (repo) rate was kept unchanged at 5,5% per annum.

Please click here to read the MPC statement and click here to read the Monetary Policy review, released on 29 May 2012.

A top level BUSA delegation met with the officials of the ANC at Luthuli House in Johannesburg yesterday. The New Growth Path and the National Development Plan were identified as important building blocks in achieving a shared vision for South Africa and it was agreed that this would be further explored between the two organisations. Read full media release»

DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred, one of the world's leading agricultural businesses, and Pannar Seed (Pty) Limited, a South African-based seed company with operations throughout Africa and other parts of the world, were given approval to implement their agreement for Pioneer to purchase a majority share of Pannar.  Read more»

The Southern African Customs union (SACU) and India have exchanged their respective lists of products of export interest during the course of 2011, and further consultative process is taking place within NEDLAC to develop a tariff line by line response to India request list.  ABC members are requested to make submissions. Please click here to access the India offensive list and the government gazette notice 409 0f 2012 from the agbiz website.

Linked find the NAMC Food Price Monitor for May 2012.

Food researchers teamed up at the University of Pretoria to tackle food-related problems

University of Pretoria (UP) launched a new Institute for Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing (IFNuW).  IFNuW seeks to address underlying vulnerabilities and find ways of building a more resilient agriculture and food system to reduce hunger and malnutrition, and promote consumption behaviour that will ensure human productivity and overall wellbeing.  The Director of this Institute is Prof Sheryl Hendriks of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. For more information visit the IFNuW website by clicking here»

Sansor, an ABC member, won a gold medal and special recognition for its interactive seed display at the 2012 Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg.  This year for the first time Sansor joined hands with the Royal Agricultural Show to not just showcase the importance of seed in our daily lives, but also addressed some educational aspects regarding seeds.  The show which started on 25 May will be held until 2 June 2012.