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...

Meat, vegetable price surge pushes SA food inflation to 4.4% in May

[Paul Makube] Following the release of South Africa’s latest CPI figures, FNB's senior agriculture economist Paul Makube unpacks the deeper forces driving food inflation at farm and producer level — from livestock disease outbreaks to grain price lag effects and constrained imports...

#YouthMonth: Pretty Kubyane, bridging tech and agriculture to empower Africa’s farmers

[Robin Fredericks] Pretty Kubyane, co-founder of eFama App, is bridging technology and agriculture to connect African farmers to new markets and opportunities...

Agriculture GDP outperforms after surging 15.8% in Q1 2025

[Paul Makube] Agriculture powered ahead in Q1 2025, outpacing all sectors with a 15.8% GDP surge. Improved seasonal conditions and strong commodity prices boosted crops, horticulture, and livestock. FNB’s Paul Makube unpacks the sector’s rebound and positive outlook...

Agriculture profitability outlook boosted after a surprise rate cut, the first for 2025

[Paul Makube] A surprise interest rate cut by the South African Reserve Bank brings relief to the agriculture sector, easing debt pressure and supporting a recovery. Early signs of a rebound are visible in crop forecasts, machinery sales, and business confidence...

How to use land reform programmes to drive job creation and economic inclusion

[Peter Setou] Land reform is about more than ownership, it’s about economic opportunity. Peter Setou, chief executive of the Vumelana Advisory Fund, unpacks how partnerships can turn transferred land into thriving, job-creating assets...

Record rebound in agriculture machinery sales as South Africa's rains boost crop yields

[Paul Makube] After a unsteady start to the 2024/25 summer crop season with delayed rains despite the La Niña forecasts, production improved significantly as the season progressed...

Food For Mzansi wins 21st international media award for Palesa’s Brave Discovery - YehBaby Marketing Creatives

[Ivor Price] Food For Mzansi has earned its 21st international media award, winning Best Fact-Checking Project at the 2025 Digital Media Awards Africa...

What Trump’s new tariffs could mean for South African wine exports

[Anna-Bet Stemmet] Trump’s new tariffs target global wine exports, with South African producers now facing a 30% levy in the US. The move raises fresh challenges for local exporters and trade policy...

South Africa must adopt a human rights-based approach to land reform

[Peter Setou] As South Africa marks Human Rights Month, the land reform programme remains a key issue in the country’s broader human rights discourse...

#Budget2025: No fuel levy and sugar tax increases, a positive outcome for agriculture

[Paul Makube] South Africa’s 2025 Budget introduces a smaller VAT hike, boosts infrastructure investment, and provides fuel levy relief for farmers to support economic growth...

China's agricultural trade friction with the US presents opportunities for other exporters

[Wandile Sihlobo] South Africa must work to have greater agricultural access in China...

How do we ensure that record agricultural exports translate to strong agricultural GDP?

[John Hudson] John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, explores the gap between rising exports and declining GDP, highlighting trade opportunities, infrastructure challenges, and policy solutions...

A sign of resilience agriculture GDP rebounds 17.2% in Q4 2024

[Paul Makube] South Africa's agriculture GDP rebounded by 17.2% in Q4 2024, showing resilience after setbacks in previous quarters. With improved conditions and forecasts for a stronger 2025, the sector is set for a recovery...

Advancing Africa's agriculture: Tackling nutrient efficiency, sustainability, and innovation

[Robin Fredericks] In this interview, Louis Strydom, sales and marketing director at Omnia Holdings elaborates on how the agricultural sector can tackle challenges such as improving nutrient efficiency in rural areas, overcoming barriers to speciality fertilisers, and advancing sustainable farming technologies...

Make restituted land productive: Addressing challenges and unlocking reform potential

[Peter Setou] Vumelana Advisory Fund CEO, Peter Setou, urges urgent action to resolve the barriers hindering the productive use of restituted land in South Africa. With land reform stalled by numerous challenges, he calls for targeted interventions to ensure land is used effectively for agriculture and job creation...