12
eNewsletter
2016/22
14 July 2016
Policy and legislation
Research into competition in the agro-processing sector

The rules of competition regulation need to change, according to research by the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and National Treasury (NT). The research, funded by the University of Johannesburg and National Treasury, unpacks some of the barriers for new entrants, especially black industrialists. The team, led by Professor Simon Roberts, director of CCRED and formerly of the Competition Commission, also proposes solutions for new entrants to successfully access commercial value chains and markets. It is critical that role players in the grain (especially milling and baking), poultry and dairy value chains study the report carefully to understand how the sector is viewed by authorities, but also to comment on certain statements and context. Please click on Agro-processing Policy Brief and Agro-Processing Sector Study to peruse. Comments can be submitted to Agbiz on e-mail: [email protected].
PLAAS releases research report on small-scale farmers in South Africa

Prof Ben Cousins and his research team from the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) at University of the Western Cape, this past week released a thought-provoking Research Report entitled: Challenging the stereotypes: Small-scale black farmers and private sector support programmes in South Africa. Please click on Research Report to peruse full report.
Draft King IV Report released

The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA) and the King Committee have made the draft version of the latest King IV Report available.   The King Committee under the leadership of Prof Mervyn King and the King IV task team, led by Ansie Ramalho, the former CEO of the IoDSA, have been working on the new document since late 2014. Ramalho says that a number of developments in corporate governance made a new version necessary. Among these developments are the increased focus on executive remuneration; the key role of social and ethics committees, the regulations for which only came out after the launch of King III; and the continuing development of Integrated Reporting, which was first recommended in King III. Click to peruse the Draft King IV Report
Economic and agribusiness intelligence
Food and beverages manufacturing output remains positive

Manufacturing data released on 12 July 2016 by Statistics South Africa indicates that the country's total output increased by 4% year-on-year (y/y) in May 2016. More specifically the food and beverages sector's
output (which is the largest in the manufacturing sector 1) increased by 2% y/y, thus contributing a 0.5% point to the overall volume of annual manufacturing production.  Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, provides more insight in the linked document.
Brief comments on South Africa's peanuts market 

The South African edible peanut consumption has been decreasing over time due to consumer price sensitivity, while the peanut butter market has maintained a relatively stable consumption trend. 
The peanut butter market increased with 15% from 2005 until 2015. In contrast, edible peanut market was fairly stable between 2005 and 2011, but declined significantly - by 47% between 2012 and 2015.  Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, provides more information in the linked document�
Agbiz participates at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries grain marketing workshop 

On Wednesday, 13 July 2016, Agbiz participated at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) grain marketing workshop which was held in Pretoria. Amongst many stakeholders that attended the workshop was the SAGIS, JSE and National Chamber of Milling. Agbiz presentation painted a broad picture of the current trends in the maize market, with a brief background on the regional maize supply and demand dynamics.  Linked is a summary written by Wandile Sihlobo, on the presentation that he has done at the workshop.
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 wrap is available on the Agbiz website www.agbiz.co.za
International trade and investment intelligence
World Bank Report on Brazil's agricultural success

One of the most extraordinary events in Brazil in the past 30 years has been the country's "agricultural revolution." In 
the 1970s, food scarcity was a concrete risk in a country experiencing rapid urbanization and middle class expansion.
Food scarcity concerns re-emerged during the following decade when short-lived spikes in real wages temporarily increased households' demand for those goods. One of the government's initiatives to address Brazil's stagnant agriculture sector and food scarcity was Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�ria). Embrapa has succeeded in adapting, creating, and transferring technologies to Brazilian farmers for the past 30 years, helping transform Brazil into one of the world's largest food exporters. How did Embrapa get it right when similar organizations failed? There are real lessons for South Africa in this World Bank Report. Click on EMBRAPA Correa to peruse.
Members News
Pieter Smit Seed and Biotech Marketing Lead for Monsanto South Africa

Pieter Smit has been appointed Seed and Biotech Marketing Lead for Monsanto South Africa in July 2016, replacing Gert Heyns who retired after being employed by Monsanto for more than 20 years. We wish Gert a well deserved and happy retirement. Click to open Pieter's Curriculum Vitae�

FPEF News - July 2016

Find linked the latest newsletter of the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum
Industry news
Options are attractive as La Nina looms
- Business Day
Tutwa Consulting Group newsletter
Click here to open newsletter.
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 [email protected]
FERTASA Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Symposium 2016
27 July 2016 | CSIR, Pretoria
FarmBiz Agribusiness Africa Conference
27 - 28 July 2016 | Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
Agbiz Grain Mini Symposium
10 August 2016 | Centurion Country Club, Pretoria.   
Theme: TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE: People, Profit, Planet.
More information: Lizb� Esterhuizen, [email protected]
PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa
17 - 18 August 2016 | CSIR, Pretoria
Food & Drink Technology Africa
14 - 15 September 2016 | Gallagher Estate, Midrand
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
Agbiz members qualifies for a 15% discount on registration when they register online.  Please use the following code to register: agbiz15
Social Media
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