eNewsletter

2016/21

8 July 2016

Economic and agribusiness intelligence

Brief comments on South Africa's white maize market

South Africa consumes an average 10.5 million tons of maize a year, with approximately 48% (5 million tons) being white maize and the balance is yellow maize. The general perception is that all the white maize is consumed in the food market, however, only 70% of the 5 million tons actually goes to human consumption. The rest is consumed by livestock as "maize chop". Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, shares more information in the linked document.

Land dynamics in Africa: What is the potential for expansion?

Africa has 1.2 billion hectares of agricultural land, of which 19% is arable land for crop production. Just under 3% is under permanent crops such as cocoa, coffee and other forms of plantation agriculture. The rest is under permanent meadows and pastures - to grow herbaceous forage crops (either cultivated, or growing wild, or grazing land). The 1.2 billion hectares of African land represents roughly 23% of global total agricultural land. Agbiz economists, Wandile Sihlobo and Tinashe Kapuya, unpacks this in the link document.

Farming needs a plan to weather storm
This article by Wandile Sihlobo, economist at Agbiz, was first published in Business Day on 4th of July 2016 - Opinion & Analysis

The drought has arguably been the most pronounced factor to have affected the South African agricultural and agribusiness landscapes in recent history. The effect on crop and livestock production has been devastating, and these industries are expected to continue to bear the brunt of this weather phenomenon for years to come. The focus of agricultural role players now needs to be redirected to long-term growth and resilience strategies for the sector, besides the tactical focus of managing the immediate crisis. Read full articleť

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

Weekly wrap of agri-commodities

In addition to Agbiz's daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends that members receive via e-mail, Agbiz will on Fridays consolidate all the weekly key events in the South African agricultural markets in a RSA Agricultural Commodities Weekly Wrap. The latest and historic commentaries are available on the Agbiz website www.agbiz.co.za

International Trade

Prioritisation of South Africa's orange export markets in the Far East

Far East markets remain of the most important areas of strategic expansion for the South African fresh produce industry. South Africa exported 103 802 tons of oranges in 2015 to Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Hong Kong, combined. Of this volume, 87 728 tons (or 85%) went to China and Hong Kong, making the two markets the cornerstone of South Africa's Asian market. The linked report compiled by Agbiz economists, Wandile Sihlobo and Tinashe Kapuya, provides more information.

Agbiz joins in celebrations of Canada Day in South Africa

Agbiz this week joined the High Commission of Canada in South Africa to celebrate Canada Day and Canada's engagement in South Africa. Inspired by the International Year of the Pulses, a menu was created consisting of a combination of South African and locally-available Canadian ingredients. Canada is a world leader in pulse production and exports to 150 countries worldwide, including to South Africa. In 2015, South Africa imported over R80 million worth of Canadian pulses. High Commissioner Sandra McCardell said: "At a time when the world is concerned with food security and climate change, pulses are nutritious and climate smart. Pulses need less water than many crops and contribute to mitigate the effects of climate change".

Personnel matters

Linette Jordaan retires after 18 years at Agbiz

After 18 years at Agbiz, Linette Jordaan has retired from her position as Office Manager. Thank you Linette for your dedication and hard work. You will be missed around the office. We wish you all the best for your retirement.

Natalie den Harte appointed as Office Manager at Agbiz

We would like to welcome Natalie van Harte in the Agbiz team. She joined Agbiz on 1 July in the position Office Manager.

Position available at Agbiz for Management Accountant

Agbiz is seeking an experienced Management Accountant to provide professional advice and support to management with regard to financial planning, budgeting and reporting to ensure that effective decisions are made. The closing date for applications is 15 July 2016. More informationť

This position has become available with the resignation of Erika Rupping.

Agbiz Grain

Agbiz Grain hosts mini symposium

Agbiz Grain is hosting a mini symposium on 10 August 2016 at the Centurion Country Club, Centurion, Gauteng. The mini symposium is themed: The tripple bottom line - People, Planet, Profit. For more information view the linked programme or contact Lizbe Esterhuizen on 012 807 6686 or lizbe@agbizgrain.co.za

News around the web

Economic report on Africa 2016

Structural transformation in Africa's economies remains the highest priority, and industrialization is the top strategy for achieving it in practice. Achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063 and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals will demand a major re-design of growth strategies across the continent. The big opportunity for Africa in 2016, as a latecomer to industrialization, is in adopting alternative economic pathways to industrialization.This requires governments to take on-board the drivers, challenges, and trade-offs in pushing for a greening of industrialization and to build them into the vision and route-map for action. Read moreť

Upcoming Events

4th Annual Africa Women in Agriculture & Agribusiness Summit

19 - 20 July 2016 | Midrand Conference Centre-Gauteng

For more information contact Kelly Siasamba on kelly@amabhubesi.co.za

FERTASA Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Symposium 2016

27 July 2016 | CSIR, Pretoria

More information

FarmBiz Agribusiness Africa Conference

27 - 28 July 2016 | Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand

More information

Agbiz Grain Mini Symposium

10 August 2016 | Centurion Country Club, Pretoria.