2025 – The year land reform faced its ultimate test

[Peter Setou] 2025 tested South Africa’s land reform programme like never before. From the enactment of the Expropriation Act to persistent institutional and funding challenges, the year revealed both risks and opportunities for reshaping land redistribution, restitution, and tenure reform...

#BizTrends2026 | Fruit SA’s Fhumulani Ratshitanga: The global certainty deficit and its impact on agriculture

[Fhumulani Ratshitanga] Fhumulani Ratshitanga, CEO of Fruit SA, explores how the growing global certainty deficit—from geopolitical shifts to climate volatility—is reshaping South African agriculture and what it means for trade, investment, and sector resilience in 2026...

#BizTrends2026 | FNB Commercial’s Paul Makube: Why agriculture is set for a strong 2026

[Paul Makube] Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial, outlines why South African agriculture is entering 2026 with renewed confidence...

#BizTrends2026 | Standard Bank South Africa’s Brendan Jacobs: What will shape agriculture in 2026?

[Brendan Jacobs] Brendan Jacobs, head of agriculture for business and commercial banking, Standard Bank SA, examines the key trends influencing South Africa’s agricultural sector...

Surging meat prices put a damper on December braais

[Paul Makube] South Africans face the highest meat prices in nearly eight years this festive season, driven by foot-and-mouth disease and supply disruptions, with beef, pork, lamb, and chicken all on the rise...

The 3 key drivers of Africa’s food-secure future

[Paul Makube] Africa’s food security hinges on three key drivers: trade infrastructure, improved inputs, and innovative financing. Coordinated action across these pillars can unlock the continent’s agricultural potential and resilience...

Food inflation falls further to 3.9% year-on-year in October 2025

[Paul Makube] South Africa’s food inflation slows to 3.9% in October 2025 as vegetables and cereals drive the decline...

Why Asia beats Africa for new SA agricultural markets

[Wandile Sihlobo] South Africa’s agricultural exports to Africa are reaching their limits — and according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, the next real growth opportunities lie in Asia and the Middle East...

Chips lovers breathe a sigh of relief following falling potato prices

[Paul Makube] According to Paul Makube, senior agricultural rconomist at FNB Commercial, falling potato prices and strong sunflower and canola harvests are easing food inflation and pointing to a positive outlook for South Africa’s agriculture sector...

Elevated meat prices remain a drag on food inflation

[Paul Makube] Rising meat prices are keeping South Africa’s food inflation stubbornly high, despite easing costs in other categories...

Another strong quarter as agriculture GDP surges 2.8% in Q2 2025

[Paul Makube] Despite trade tariffs and a foot-and-mouth outbreak, South Africa’s agriculture GDP grew in Q2 2025, with exports up 10% year-on-year and a positive outlook for the 2025/26 crop season...

SA agribusiness confidence holds despite livestock, trade concerns

[Wandile Sihlobo] South African agribusiness confidence dips slightly in Q3 2025 amid FMD and trade concerns, but sector optimism endures...

Rising livestock theft poses risk to SA farmers

[Wandile Sihlobo] Livestock theft is rising in South Africa, threatening farmers and the sector’s growth. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, calls for stronger police–agriculture collaboration to protect livelihoods...

South Africa's agricultural jobs growth possibilities

[Wandile Sihlobo] Agriculture holds big job potential, but progress hinges on land reform, infrastructure, and tackling sector challenges, writes Wandile Sihlobo...

#WomensMonth: Yoliswa Dlamini on resilience, leadership, and shaping the future of forestry

[Robin Fredericks] From driving tractors in rural KwaZulu-Natal to managing national silviculture operations, Yoliswa Dlamini shares how purpose, perseverance, and leadership have shaped her journey in forestry...

Agriculture’s tariff concerns – cautious reaction to interest rates

[Paul Makube] Despite a positive agriculture outlook in South Africa, tariff concerns and ongoing biosecurity challenges are expected to dampen sector optimism about business conditions, says Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial...

From farm to table: How ButtaNutt is reshaping South Africa’s food landscape

[Robin Fredericks] From macadamias on a family farm to South Africa’s first plant-based UHT facility, ButtaNutt is growing fast. Founder Antoine van Heerden explains how local sourcing and strong supply chains are shaping the future of plant-based foods and farming...

Meat inflation hits 25-month high amid supply crunch

[Paul Makube] Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial, unpacks the latest spike in food inflation, with meat driving the increase amid ongoing supply constraints...

#YouthMonth: Thando Zungu leads with data and resilience in SA’s poultry sector

[Robin Fredericks] Thando Zungu's career journey reflects the resilience, innovation, and leadership driving SA’s agricultural sector forward...

#YouthMonth: Yolanda Maphalala champions agri-tech innovation

[Robin Fredericks] Yolanda Maphalala, Isithelo EsiHle Ecological Farm founder and CEO blends agricultural economics expertise with cutting-edge agri-tech innovation...