12
eNewsletter
2016/18
9 June 2016
Agbiz elects office bearers

Agbiz last week elected its office bearers for 2016-2018 at a Members Meeting held in Somerset West, Cape Town.
 
Mr Schalk Pienaar was re-elected as chairperson, Mr Danie Marias, MD of NWK Limited, was re-elected as deputy chairperson and Dr Langa Simela of ABSA AgriBusiness was re-elected as second deputy chairperson of Agbiz.
 
The other members of the Agbiz Executive Committee are Mr Sean Walsh, MD of Kaap Agri and Mr Francois Strydom, MD of Senwes.
 
Dr John Purchase, chief executive officer of Agbiz, serves on the Executive Committee as ex officio member. 
Economic and agribusiness intelligence
Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index remains low 

The Agbiz/IDC Confidence Index in the first quarter of 2016 (Q1, 2016) was 42.87 points, which was a further contraction from the fourth quarter of 2015 (Q4, 2015) level of 42.91 points. The contraction is even larger when considered from a year-on-year perspective, with Q1, 2016 being 15% lower than Q1, 2015, the latter being the last time the index was above 50 points. This means that South Africa's agribusiness sector is still holding a largely pessimistic view regarding business conditions since mid-2015.  More information
South African agricultural sector remains in recession 

Growth rates by sector
The first quarter real GDP figures (Q1, 2016) released by Statistics South Africa came out worse than market expectations. They reflected a contraction of -1.2% quarter-on-quarter (q/q) due to weakening economic activity in the mining, electricity, transport and agriculture sector.  Read more in the 
linked article written by Agbiz economists.
Wheat tariffs must fit SA's context

"Trade policy debates are incomplete if argued without due consideration on the effect of selected instruments on both the consumption and production side," said Wandile Sihlobo, economist at Agbiz, in a column published in Business Day 
this week. Read more�
Daily market viewpoint on agri-commodities 

South Africa is very much integrated into a dynamic global market, which is characterised by rapid changes.  To support decision makers in this environment, Agbiz members receive daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends via e-mail. The latest and historic commentaries are available on the Agbiz website www.agbiz.co.za
Members' news
PwC Africa Agribusiness Insight Survey
This publication is aimed at providing agribusinesses operating in Africa with information about the most significant industry trends, with a specific emphasis on the importance of technological innovation and its impact.

New world record price for mohair 
This week at a prestigious special mohair auction, a new world record price for mohair was achieved at R859.00/kg. Pierre van der Vyver, Manager: Mohair at Cape Mohair & Wool (CMW) reported that all 19 bales which were entered for a competition to determine the best bale of kid mohair in the world, came from their warehouses in Port Elizabeth. CMW, fibre division of the OVK group, is the biggest broker of mohair in the world.
Monsanto named among greenest companies in Newsweek's 2016 green rankings
Monsanto continues to lead the agriculture sector in the Newsweek Green Rankings. The company also improved significantly on the global rankings list, moving to 22nd place in 2016, up from 84th in 2015.
Industry news
DAFF monthly food security bulletin of South Africa - May 2016
The Statistics and Economic Analysis has released the monthly food security bulletin of South Africa.
Supply and demand estimates report - May 2016
Upcoming Events
IFAMA 26th Annual World Conference
19 - 23 June 2016 | Denmark
The IFAMA world conference will focus on three major issues crucial to the
food challenge:
People: Flow of Talent in the Food and Agribusiness Sector
Climate: Climate-�Smart Food and Agribusiness Systems
Big data: Better Analytics and Deeper Insight Management
Media release
Avi Africa 2016
21 - 23 June 2016 | Emperors Palace | Gauteng
"The biggest poultry congress and exhibition in Africa"
4th Annual Africa Women in Agriculture & Agribusiness Summit
19 - 20 July 2016 | Midrand Conference Centre-Gauteng
For more information contact Kelly Siasamba on [email protected]
PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa
17 - 18 August 2016 | CSIR, Pretoria
Tropentag International Conference on Research in Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development
18 - 21 September 2016 | Vienna, Austria
AMT Agri-Outlook Conference
28 September 2016 | CSIR Convention Centre | Pretoria
Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference
10 - 12 October 2016 | Dar es Salaam | Tanzania
Social Media
Follow Agbiz on Facebook and Twitter

Be sure to follow Agbiz on Twitter and Facebook for the latest industry news and events.
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