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Government fails to appreciate SA farmers' contribution

15 Apr 2015

Independent economist Dr Kobus Laubscher talks to Annelie Coleman about the economic benefits of last year's record maize harvest and the consequences of this year's vastly reduced harvest...

How did SA's record maize crop last year affect macro-economic indicators such as inflation, export earnings, interest rates and farming income?

Dr Kobus Laubscher

Image credit: Farmer's Weekly

The record crop has had a positive impact on the economy as a whole but this has not been appreciated by government. The economy benefited from export earnings - thanks to clever marketing by the private sector. Whether the grain farmers got their fair share is questionable because of the bearish world markets; our grain might have been exported too cheaply.

However, the bottom line is that excellent export performance provided price protection locally within very competitive international markets...

Read the full story on http://www.farmersweekly.co.za/.

Source: Farmer's Weekly

Farmer’s Weekly has a long and proud history of serving South Africa’s agricultural industry. Throughout the years, Farmer’s Weekly has been a clarion for South Africa’s farming community and, the magazine remains fully committed to its original undertaking – the advancement of the interests of farmers and their industry.

Go to: www.farmersweekly.co.za