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Die regering nuwe reëls gepubliseer oor hoe Suid-Afrika se uitvoerkwotas na die Europese Unie toegeken word. In eenvoudige terme: die EU besluit net hoeveel Suid-Afrika mag uitvoer teen laer tariewe. Ons eie regering besluit wie daardie toegang kry.
South Africa’s beef and dairy industries face severe disruption from ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, with cases surging from about 7 700 in 2022 to 24 200 in 2025.BFAP estimates beef sector losses could reach R3,2 billion (medium scenario) to R11,3 billion (high scenario) from 2025–2030, rising to R13,1 billion when lost export earnings are included.
Die VF Plus (Vryheidsfront Plus) beklemtoon dat dit vir almal in Suid-Afrika van kardinale belang is dat die landboubedryf optimaal funksioneer. Daarom is die party bereid om gesprekke te fasiliteer om die jare lange geskille rondom die Landbou- en Landbouverwerkingsmeesterplan (AAMP, of Meesterplan) op te los.
Die Departement van Landbou het bevestig dat hy gereed is om enige regstappe te verdedig nadat Sakeliga, Saai en Vrystaat Landbou aangekondig het dat hulle Minister van Landbou John Steenhuisen gaan hof toe sleep oor die verbod op private aanskaffing en toediening van bek-en-klouseer-entstowwe (BKS)..
Herhalende bek-en-klouseer-uitbrekings het gelei tot die sluiting of beperking van belangrike uitvoermarkte. Dit kelder jare lange vordering deur die rooivleisbedryf. Van 2019 tot verlede jaar het Suid-Afrika meer as R821 miljoen in beesvleis-uitvoerinkomste ingeboet. Dit kan teen einde vanjaar toeneem tot R2,6 miljard, as die huidige tendens voortduur.
A sharp rise in global oil prices has been offset by a rand rally, keeping South African motorists on track for a sizeable cut in petrol and diesel prices next week.Month-end data from the (CEF) shows that fuel price recoveries have maintained their positive momentum, all but guaranteeing a price cut in February.
Oliemarkte verhandel steeds na aan hoogtepunte van die afgelope maande, wat hoofsaaklik aangevuur word deur geopolitieke onsekerheid in die Midde-Ooste. Brent-ruolie het teen meer as 68-dollar per vat verhandel - 'n styging van 5,5-persent teenoor 'n week gelede, maar het weer ietwat gedaal.
The 2025/26 South African wool selling season pressed on with the 19th auction held on 28 January 2026, offering 7 363 bales. The catalogue focused mainly on long-length, fine-micron merino wools, with sustainably certified clips making up 56,7% of the merino portion offered.
SAKELIGA- Minister Steenhuisen triggers litigation by refusing to disclose legal basis for FMD vaccine prohibitionThe Minister has missed the deadline to respond to our formal letter of demand.
Die uitvoerende bestuurder van die Namibiese Landbou-unie Roelie Venter sê die beskerming van Namibië se bek-en-klouseer-vrye status is 'n nasionale ekonomiese prioriteit. Met die siekte wat vinnig oor Suider-Afrika versprei, neem die risiko vir Namibië eksponensieel toe.
South Africa’s 2025-26 corn crop is looking strong, thanks to favourable La Niña weather that brought normal to above-normal rainfall during planting (October–December 2025). The US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) forecasts production at 16 million tonnes for the marketing year May 2026–April 2027.
Karan Beef koop steeds kalwers aan, maar volg nou ’n streng aankoopbeleid weens die huidige bek-en-klouseer (BKS)-uitbreking. Die voerkraal het sy voorwaardes in ’n skrywe aan die Rooivleisprodusente-organisasie (RPO) uiteengesit.
Africa has around 33 million small-scale farms producing nearly 70% of the continent’s food, yet rural poverty remains widespread in South Africa. The biggest barrier for many farmers is limited technical and business knowledge, which stops them from building long-term, profitable operations.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank het besluit om die rentekoers onveranderd te hou op 6,75-persent, in die lig van bestendige ekonomiese groei en inflasie wat naby aan sy teiken van drie-persent is.
South Africa’s table grape season is facing heavy promotional pressure in Europe, with four vessels arriving over the next two weeks just as grapes are already heavily discounted (prices dropped to €1.29 last week).
Die minister van Landbou, John Steenhuisen, sê die regering se doelwit is om die hele land se beeskudde van sowat 14-miljoen diere teen bek-en-klouseer in te ent. Hy sê byna twee-miljoen diere is reeds ingeënt sedert die begin van die uitbreking.
Zimbabwe has immediately suspended all imports of live cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) and their products from South Africa, effective as of the announcement on January 30, 2026.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika sê totale likwidasies het verlede jaar met 1,1-persent gedaal vergeleke met 2024. Maatskappylikwidasies het met 1,8-persent afgeneem en beslote korporasie-likwidasies met 0,3-persent.
South Africans are worried about possibly losing access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), the US trade deal that gives duty-free access to the American market. The fear feels real, especially with economic pressures, but the actual risk is much smaller than many think.
RISE Mzansi het die LUR vir Landbou in Gauteng, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, en die regering van provinsiale eenheid geprys vir sy deursigtige optrede rondom die bek-en-klouseer-uitbreking. Die party-woordvoerder, Mabine Seabe, sê die maatreëls sal help om boere, plaaswerkers en die provinsie se hoëwaarde-landbousektor te beskerm.
The wine industry is facing a sales slump not because consumer demand for wine has disappeared, but because the traditional sales model—relying heavily on distribution channels, importers, agents, and retail listings—is outdated and no longer effective in today's market.
Athol Trollip (parlementêre leier van ActionSA) skryf dat die bek-en-klouseer (BKS)-krisis in Suid-Afrika nie ’n natuurramp is nie, maar die direkte gevolg van jare se regeringsversuim, bestuursverval en oormatige sentralisasie. Die siekte is sedert 2021 in die land, maar die regering het eers onlangs begin praat van ’n “oorlog” teen BKS – sonder voldoende entstof, kapasiteit of aksie.
India is actively expanding its global trade footprint with the recent signing of a major free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union, following similar deals with Britain, New Zealand, and Oman.
Die druiwe-seisoen vorder vinnig en suksesvol in Namibië, Oranjerivier, Olifantsrivier, vroeë Bergrivier en Hexrivier, met gunstige weer, uitstekende suikeropbou en goeie vrugkwaliteit wat rekordpakvolumes en vroeë afrondings ondersteun.Namibië (Namibia Grape Company): Seisoen afgehandel en klaar vir Capespan-uitvoere.
South Africa's agricultural sector delivered a robust but uneven performance in 2025, rebounding strongly after two years of decline. Exports reached an estimated US$13.3 billion, anchored by horticulture (citrus ~R38 billion, followed by grapes, raisins, and pome fruit), with the EU (36%) as the top destination and growing markets in China, the Middle East, and the UK.
Verkope van elektriese motors het dié van petrolvoertuie in die Europese Unie vir die eerste keer in Desember oortref. Battery-elektriese registrasies het ook dié van petrolmotors in die breër Europese mark, insluitend Brittanje en Noorweë, verbygesteek. Motorverkope op die vasteland het vir 'n sesde maand op 'n jaargronds
The South African Rand (ZAR) has strengthened against the US Dollar (USD) in 2025, gaining around 2.5% and pushing the exchange rate toward R16.11/USD, but this apparent strength is largely illusory and driven externally rather than by robust domestic fundamentals.
Boere in die somerreënstreek van Suid-Afrika sê aan die einde van Januarie 2026 dat hulle dringend nog reën nodig het om ernstige droogteskade aan somergewasse (veral mielies, sonneblomme en sojabone) te voorkom.In Noordwes lyk die gewasse oor die algemeen goed, maar reën val streperig en sommige dele het al droogteskade opgedoen.
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AGRI NEWS NET – International Farming and Agriculture Headline News 30th January 2026 – 50 Key Headlines Capturing Global Agriculture Trends
Here is a snapshot of the major global agriculture stories and trends as of January 30, 2026, drawn from USDA reports, FAO updates, regional market data, trade flows, climate alerts, and industry developments.
- South Africa’s 2025-26 maize exports forecast rises to 2.2 million tonnes on strong La Niña harvest (USDA FAS).
- SA maize production projected at 16 million tonnes for MY 2025-26, following record 17 million tonnes in 2024-25.
- Domestic SA maize demand grows modestly to 14.2 million tonnes in 2025-26 amid slow economic growth.
- Yellow maize dominates SA feed rations in 2025-25, reducing white maize use; total feed use up slightly to 7.1 million tonnes.
- SA corn stocks forecast at 1.6 million tonnes by end-2025-26, down from 2 million but still comfortable.
- Karan Beef tightens calf purchase rules amid FMD outbreak – requires day-zero dates, red-cross permits, RMIS registration.
- Karan Beef accepts previously positive FMD-tested calves only with confirmed day-zero date and vet approvals.
- No clinical FMD signs allowed on any cattle entering Karan Beef; contact for discussion on quarantined farms without day-zero.
- Vergelegen wine estate celebrates baby boom: dwarf Nguni calf born Dec 26, joins tame white Nguni Henry.
- Vergelegen Nguni herd reaches ~450 after 133 calves July–Sept 2025; two eland calves born mid-Dec (total 11).
- Seven bontebok lambs born Oct 2025 at Vergelegen (total ~90); two Rau quagga mares heavily pregnant.
- Spotted eagle owl pair successfully raise two owlets at Vergelegen in Nov 2025.
- Agri X launches Fusion Series events; first Red Meat Value Chain gathering set for 4–5 March 2026 at NWU Mahikeng.
- Agri X Fusion aims to align academia, industry, policy for red meat challenges: genetics, biosecurity, markets, resilience.
- Gene Likhanya’s Madimbo Agri Group harvests first crop from solar drip-irrigated macadamia/spinach farm in Limpopo.
- Likhanya sells 15 crates green peppers, 18 crates tomatoes, 29 kg green beans locally; credits SAB Foundation support.
- Likhanya mentors 12 macadamia farmers to 5 ha each with land prep, water, seedlings, infrastructure via consortium.
- Fairtrade Africa launches third ‘Be Fair Right Now’ campaign in Nov 2025 for living wages in coffee, wine, chocolate.
- Fairtrade calls on SA consumers to close minimum vs living wage gap; quiz at befairrightnow-sa.org promotes certified brands.
- MSC reports SA agricultural exports hit estimated US$11.7 billion in 2025, driven by reefer perishables (citrus, grapes, apples, pears).
- Reefer cargo now ~1/3 of MSC’s SA business; half to Europe; record volumes in 2025.
- MSC launches Western Cape Express and USWASA Express services for faster peak-season fruit transit to Europe/US.
- Medlog opens 15,000 m² cold-store in Durban and expands Savannah, Georgia facility for SA perishables.
- SA 2025-26 corn crop outlook positive at 16 million tonnes; exports up to 2.2 million tonnes on regional demand.
- SA corn stocks comfortable at 1.6 million tonnes end-2025-26; no strategic government reserves required.
- Nedbank Agriculture engagement highlights SA ag rebound in 2025: exports US$13.3 billion, GDP growth 19.5% Q1-Q3.
- SA horticulture anchors 2025 exports (citrus R38 billion); FMD hits beef, port delays disrupt late-season fruit.
- Climate volatility intensifies: hotter extremes, later frosts, heavier midsummer rain reshape SA production patterns.
- Wandile Sihlobo urges urgent release of 2.5 million ha state land via revived Land Reform Agency in 2026.
- Sihlobo calls for individual commercial farmer focus, not group allocations, to drive scale and smallholder aggregation.
- Mozambican government gives ICM exclusive control over rice and wheat imports to curb US$100 million annual tax evasion.
- ICM centralises sourcing, distribution, and fair pricing for rice/wheat; mobilises >US$100 million for local production.
- New Holland unveils T7 Xd (360–435 hp), T4.120F Auto Command CVT tractor, R4 autonomous robots, hybrid telehandler prototype at Agritechnica 2025.
- New Holland celebrates Fiat 702 legacy with “Il Trattore” concept on T5.120 base; confident of 2026 recovery in Italy/Europe.
- India signs major FTA with EU; recent deals with UK, NZ, Oman; possible Canada talks; hopes for BRICS trade boost.
- SA wool diversification into India key under potential BRICS FTA; current tariffs and phytosanitary barriers limit access.
- SA table grape season under heavy promotion pressure in Europe; prices hit €1.29 last week.
- EXSA’s Nico Louw questions sustainability of promotions in Germany; stable UK volumes; Far East (China, Vietnam) volatile.
- Australia overtakes SA in Vietnam with lower duties, shorter transit, consistent XXL grapes; India rising threat on white varieties.
- Karan Beef enforces strict FMD-compliant calf purchase rules: day-zero dates, red-cross permits, RMIS registration required.
- Saai, Sakeliga, Free State Agriculture reject Steenhuisen’s Jan 27 response as vague; deadline Jan 30 for clear confirmation on private vaccine rights.
- Sakeliga warns litigation possible if state blocks private FMD vaccine procurement; no halt to legal rollout expected.
- Bennie van Zyl (TLU SA) urges realistic FMD solutions; Dunevax permit issued, Design Biologix application urgent at SAHPRA.
- Application underway to allow private vets/technicians to vaccinate under Animal Health Act.
- Kwanalu shares farmer letter sarcastically “thanking” government for overfeeding vultures amid FMD inaction.
- Vergelegen estate celebrates wildlife boom: dwarf Nguni calf, tame Henry, 133 Nguni calves, eland/bontebok lambs, pregnant Rau quagga.
- Fairtrade Africa’s ‘Be Fair Right Now’ campaign pushes living wages in SA coffee, wine, chocolate supply chains.
- Global AI adoption in agriculture accelerates; Africa risks marginalisation without strategic integration in value chains.
- AI tools (predictive analytics, traceability, logistics) offer SA chance to leapfrog barriers in sugar, horticulture, exports.
- SA ag sector must invest in digital infrastructure, regional standards (AfCFTA/SADC), inclusive skills to future-proof competitiveness.
These headlines reflect ongoing themes: strong SA export momentum in perishables and maize, persistent FMD crisis, climate and trade risks, policy delays on land reform, private-sector innovation, and the push for inclusive, digital, sustainable growth. Monitor USDA, FAO, local unions, and trade updates for the latest. Strength to farmers everywhere!
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— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) February 1, 2026
Minister John Steenhuisen warns that an alleged court case could derail the urgent procurement and rollout of FMD vaccines, urging stakeholders to act swiftly to safeguard national animal health.#StopFMD #LetsWorkTogether #GovZAUpdates @GCISMedia @GovernmentZA… pic.twitter.com/VasvKmRhdt
