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Kommersiële boere sal self vir bek-en-klouseer-entstof moet betaal, ondanks wye kritiek dat die huidige uitbraak deels spruit uit tekortkominge in staatsbeheer en die afdwing van bioveiligheidsmaatreëls.
South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park is facing a massive and prolonged recovery after severe flooding last week caused rivers to burst their banks, leading to its temporary closure and extensive infrastructure damage.
Die voorgestelde wysigings aan die Nasionale Waterwet (Wet 36 van 1998), soos vervat in die National Water Amendment Bill (B1-2026, ingedien Januarie 2026 na 'n hersiene konsep in 2025 deur Minister Pemmy Majodina), skep groot kommer onder boere, watergebruikersverenigings en landbou-organisasies soos AgriSA en SAAFWUA.
NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus strongly condemns Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) as an “inherently fraudulent” and coercive policy that has caused immense, lasting damage to South Africa’s economy.
Die beleggingsbestuursmaatskappy, Citadel, sê Suid-Afrika betree 2026 met hernieude beleggersvertroue, ondersteun deur 'n kombinasie van globale en plaaslike tendense.
Markets are sending mixed signals this week. Sharp price moves, sudden pressure points, and quiet shifts beneath the surface are forcing producers and decision-makers to look beyond the headlines. Grain markets tested lower levels before finding some stability, raising the critical question of whether a price floor is forming — or whether more volatility still lies ahead.
Brandbestryders veg steeds teen die brand in die berge bo Franschhoek in die Wes-Kaap wat byna ʼn week gelede uitgebreek het.
Lower maize prices in South Africa are providing relief to consumers by reducing costs for staple foods and supporting cheaper feed for the livestock and poultry sectors, which could eventually ease pressure on meat, dairy, and poultry prices.
Die saak wat moontlik Suid-Afrika se eerste toets vir grondonteiening sonder vergoeding sou word, het 'n dramatiese omkeer geneem in Januarie 2026: Die Stad van Ekurhuleni het sy besluit om 'n 34-hektar stuk grond (Portion 406 van die plaas Driefontein in Boksburg) te onteien, herroep of teruggetrek na 'n sewe jaar lange regsstryd met die eienaar.
International Fertilizer prices are rising steadily due to strong Northern Hemisphere demand and geopolitical uncertainties, but the strengthening Rand its best level since March 2023)offers South African buyers some welcome relief by moderating the impact of higher global costs.
Misrepresentation of South Africa and its farming matters in global affairs does no one any good.South Africa’s farming sector faces its own challenges, including animal diseases and logistical inefficiencies. These are immensely costly to farmers. There is work underway to tackle these, and it just needs to be accelerated. Wandile Sihlobo
Vrystaat Landbou (VL) eis dat die staatsmonopolie op bek-en-klouseer (BKS) onmiddellik beëindig word en entstowwe direk in boere se hande geplaas word sodat hulle hul diere so vinnig moontlik kan inent en die ongekontroleerde verspreiding kan stuit. Francois Wilken, president van VL, sê as dit nie gebeur nie, word die hele vleisbedryf op sy knieë gedwing.
The South African agricultural exporters still face bans on vegetable exports in Namibia and Botswana. The justification both countries provide is not convincing; they can grow their agricultural industries without a complete ban on South African products.
TLU SA verwelkom landbouminister John Steenhuisen se aankondiging van die Bek-en-Klouseer (BKS) Bedryfskoördineringsraad en is veral bly dat hul hoofbestuurder, Bennie van Zyl, as lid aangestel is.
The future of viticulture is accelerating from observation to deep understanding and soon autonomous action, as highlighted by Dr Luca Brillante (Bronco Wine Company, USA) at the Nedbank Vinpro Day in South Africa.Current benefits already in use:Machine vision for counting shoots/clusters and assessing canopy health
Die huidige uitbreking van bek-en-klouseer (BKS) in Suid-Afrika skep druk op rooivleispryse, aangesien bottelnekke by voerkrale en onsekerheid oor vleisvoorsiening die mark beïnvloed, sê bedryfskenners.Dr. Frikkie Maré (RPO) sê voerkrale weet nie hoeveel diere veilig verhandel kan word nie, wat lei tot onsekerheid en beperkte toevoer.
Namibia’s formal potato production totals only around 8,534 tons, far short of domestic demand, forcing heavy reliance on imports (22,751 tons in 2024/25). Informal markets supply an estimated 41% of local production, but the overall output remains insufficient.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has rejected farmers' criticism that his department lacks leadership and communication in handling the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, insisting he has been in constant contact with industry representatives through press releases, adverts, social media, and conferences.
Die Amerikaanse Wet op Groei en Geleenthede in Afrika (Agoa), sedert 2000 van krag, bied tariefvrye toegang tot die VSA-mark vir meer as 1 800 produkte (boonop die 5 000 onder die Generalized System of Preferences).
At the World Economic Forum in Davos (starting 20 January 2026), IFAD President Alvaro Lario and Goodwill Ambassador Sabrina Dhowre Elba will urge global leaders and businesses to invest urgently in small-scale farmers and rural entrepreneurs — the “first mile” of food value chains — as a strategic economic and geostrategic priority.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse tafeldruifbedryf begin 2026 sterk, met ’n verwagte uitvoeroes van 79,4 miljoen kartonne (4,5 kg elk) – ’n effense verbetering teenoor verlede jaar – danksy goeie gehalte en stabiele volumes oor al vyf produksiestreke.
Gen Z's relationship with alcohol has shifted away from wine as a default, favoring ready-to-drink cans, spirits, and non-alcoholic options due to tighter budgets and a more deliberate drinking style.
Die 2026 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlyn het watertekorte as een van die grootste bedreigings van die 21ste eeu uitgelig. Landbou verbruik 72% van die wêreld se vars water en sal nog meer nodig hê om 10 miljard mense teen 2050 te voed.
Zimbabwe has announced a large-scale agricultural mechanisation drive under its National Development Strategy 2, aiming to equip all 35,000 villages with tractors. The programme is designed to modernise farming practices, strengthen food security and stimulate rural industrialisation by reducing reliance on manual labour.
Suid-Afrika se inflasiesyfer het in Desember 2025 op ’n jaargrondslag tot 3,6% gestyg (van 3,5% in November), nog binne die Reserwebank se teikenband van 3–6% en naby die nuwe 3%-doelwit wat geleidelik ingestel word.Die hoofbydraers was:Nutsdienste (+4,9% jaarliks, +1,2% bydrae)Kospryse (+4,4% jaarliks, +0,8% bydrae)
South Africa’s water infrastructure is nearing collapse under chronic underinvestment, failing wastewater plants, widespread leaks, poor oversight, and compounding pressures from climate change, dam silting, and unplanned development — a crisis experts like Riskonet Africa’s Volker von Widdern warn could prove more disruptive than load-shedding.
NOTE -
- Global maize prices remain under pressure; SA white maize spot at R3,480/ton (–52% YoY).
- Record 830 Mt global wheat harvest forecast for 2025/26 (+4% YoY); stocks rise to 275 Mt.
- Argentina soybean exports projected at 8.2 Mt — highest since 2019/20.
- Brazil soybean crop on track for record 177 Mt; planting 98.5% complete.
- China soybean imports rebound; 12 Mt US commitment this year, 25 Mt annually through 2028.
- FAO Food Price Index falls for fourth month to 124.3 points (lowest since Jan 2025).
- Dairy prices drop 4.4% in December; meat –1.3%; cereals rise 1.7%.
- Vegetable oil prices hit six-month low in December; 2025 annual average +17.1% YoY.
- US corn inventories reach December record; higher-than-expected output signals prolonged low prices.
- Fertiliser prices tighten globally; EPA biofuel rules expected to lift demand in 2026.
US Farm Economy & Policy
- US row-crop farmers face third year of losses; corn needs $5.03/bu, soybeans $12.80/bu to break even.
- Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies surge 36% in first 9 months of 2025; tractor/combine sales plunge.
- Deere, AGCO, CNH announce thousands of layoffs; rural job losses spread to schools and hospitals.
- CoBank credit provisions jump to $129M (from $6M); lenders increasingly cautious.
- USDA finalises OBBBA changes: ARC/PLC extended to 2031, DMC Tier 1 limit raised to 6M lb.
- Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act signed; full-fat dairy restored in schools per new guidelines.
- 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines invert pyramid: meat/dairy/fats top tier, grains at bottom.
- Refined grains labelled “sugar in disguise”; grain industry protests de-emphasis of enriched products.
- “Make America More Ground Beef” proposal floats voluntary dairy-to-beef channel; faces resistance.
- Trump’s $12B farm aid welcomed but deemed insufficient to reverse trade-war losses.
Technology & Innovation
- John Deere launches 5En specialised tractors: 75–106 hp bridging 5G and 5Ml series.
- Autonomous tractors, electric models, and robots gain traction; SA farmers remain cautious on cost/infrastructure.
- Precision spraying, digital twins, and AI scouting become standard in high-value crops.
- Bio-pesticides surge (12–14% annual growth); projected £12–14bn market by 2030.
- Satellite imagery, IoT sensors, and real-time monitoring lead precision farming adoption.
South Africa Focus
- FMD crisis: 655 total cases (628 active); 188 new in last month.
- Steenhuisen appoints FMD Industry Coordination Council; first meeting 21 January 2026.
- MPO pushes milk levy funds for FMD vaccines; disease costs R5,500–R6,000 per cow.
- Saai & AfriForum launch 24-hour farmer mental health helpline (064 870 8312) amid suicide risks.
- 27 farm attacks, 7 murders in Free State in 2025; weekend incidents shock VL.
- Valencia orange crop surges to 61.7–61.8M cartons; exports boom to Europe, Middle East, Russia, Asia.
- Maize prices crash 40–50% YoY; consumer relief expected, but producers under pressure.
- Winter wheat harvest revised to 1.99 Mt (+3% YoY); imports forecast down 5%.
- Rooftop solar users not legally required to register SSEG systems (<100 kW), per Chris Yelland.
- Eskom accused of bluffing on disconnection threats to push Homeflex tariff.
Africa & Global Highlights
- Zimbabwe Burma Valley bananas gain SA market share; part of $2bn horticulture goal by 2030.
- Rwanda raises coffee cherry farm-gate price 25% to Rwf750/kg; export earnings up 65%.
- Namibia eyes AGOA extension through 2028; beef/veal and table grapes key beneficiaries.
- Egypt enters blueberry export window (to May); positions as early-season complement to Morocco.
- Morocco blueberry season delayed 3 weeks by weather; higher total volumes expected.
Outlook & Risks
- World Bank lifts SA 2025 growth forecast to 1.3%, 1.4% in 2026, 1.5% in 2027.
- Global farmland market steady to slightly softer in Q4 2025; 2026 outlook cautious.
- US farm belt in depression: low prices, high costs, surging bankruptcies, rural job losses.
- UK dairy farmers losing money at 29p/litre farmgate vs 40p production cost.
- Global bio-pesticide adoption accelerates; policy (EU 50% reduction target) drives change.
- Davos 2026 opens under Trump dominance; SA pitches reforms amid geopolitical noise.
- BEE slammed as “fraudulent” by NEASA CEO Papenfus; Mantashe calls critics white supremacists.
- Zero-tolerance drinking-and-driving ban proposed; permanent licence bans recommended.
- Andre de Ruyter returns to SA, consults on renewables, remains cautiously optimistic.
- Logistics now the decisive edge in SA agriculture; mastering First Mile critical for resilience.
Stay tuned — agriculture in 2026 remains volatile, innovative, and full of both risk and opportunity.
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John Steenhuisen directly addresses the claims that the DA is not standing up the ANC.
— Christopher Walker (@Christo64486953) January 25, 2026
The same year the party has launched its biggest opposition to BEE, beat VAT, won on BELA and is governing ministries in new ways, counter to the ANC norm.
Fact 🔵🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/BfNtbv4lVc
