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This AGRI NEWS RUSH -Some of the news stories of this week-, SUNDAY EDITION - ALWAYS ON TIME  - AGRI NEWS RUSH is now one of the most read Articles on a Sunday 

The European Union and Mercosur (South America) are moving closer to finalising a major trade agreement that will remove tariffs on around 90% of goods traded between the two blocs, phased in over approximately 12 years.

Namibië is op hoë gereedheidsgrondslag na 'n bek-en-klouseer uitbreking in die suide van Zambië bevestig is. Die Direktoraat Veeartsenykundige Dienste het 'n streng voorbereidingsstrategie versnel wat gefokus is op hoëfrekwensie-inentings oor die noordelike kommunale gebiede.

Grain SA has sent a strong warning letter to Minister Parks Tau of Trade, Industry and Competition. They stated that if he does not soon finalise the automation of the wheat tariff, they may take legal action (a mandamus) against him to force him to do so.

President Donald Trump van Amerika gaan tariewe op motors en vragmotors wat uit die Europese Unie ingevoer word, tot 25% verhoog, wat handelsspanning met Brussel verskerp. In ’n plasing op Truth Social het Trump die EU daarvan beskuldig dat hulle nie aan ’n ooreengekome handelsooreenkoms voldoen nie, maar hy
het geen besonderhede gegee nie.

Asparagus markets are currently in transition, with shifting supply levels creating varied conditions across major regions. In Europe, a surge in volumes from France, Italy, Spain, and other producers has led to oversupply and declining prices in recent weeks.

Brasilië het 64 jaar geneem om bek-en-klouseer (BKS) heeltemal uit te roei. Suid-Afrika hoop om met Brasilië se hulp die siekte binne 10 jaar onder beheer te kry.Die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Landbou se biosekerheidspan het onlangs Brasilië besoek om kennis oor BKS-uitroeiing te bekom.

The South African Reserve Bank’s April 2026 Monetary Policy Review warns that health insurance premiums have consistently outpaced headline inflation due to overutilisation, structural market inefficiencies, and high concentration among hospital groups and administrators.

South African food inflation is projected to climb as the agricultural sector faces a combination of shifting weather patterns and global geopolitical instability. The anticipated arrival of El Niño in mid-2026 threatens to bring droughts and unpredictable rainfall, which would significantly reduce crop yields across the region.

At the first-ever Groot Kalahari Auction held on 2 May near Askham in the Northern Cape, a top-quality gemsbok bull stole the show when it sold for an impressive R2.5 million. The six-year-old bull had exceptional horns measuring 47 ²?? inches.Another standout was a rare red gemsbok bull with horns over 40 inches, which sold for R2 million.

Game prices -Average prices for all species varied during the week. If we first look at plains game, we see that the overall average price across all species has now decreased by about three percent over the past week. In this category, springbok dropped by two percent to R9,590, while impala jumped by two percent to R5,732.

Onderbrekings in kunsmisvoorsiening weens blokkerings in die Straat van Hormuz, kan wêreldwyd tot 10 miljard maaltye per week kos en die armste lande die hardste tref, sê Svein Tore Holsether, uitvoerende hoof van Yara, ‘n internasionale kunsmisverskaffer.

This week’s agricultural markets reflect a shifting landscape. Livestock is starting to come under pressure as more animals reach the market, although strong grazing conditions and feedlot demand may still provide some support.

Strooptyd het in verskeie dele van die land aangebreek, maar boere ondervind vanjaar uiters moeilike toestande weens aanhoudende swaar reën.In die westelike en noordelike Vrystaat, asook dele van die Noord-Kaap en Noordwes, het swaar reën die afgelope week geval. Dit het veroorsaak dat rekord soja-oes wat gereed op die lande staan nie gestroop kan word nie.

Major global agricultural exporting countries are responding differently to the current Middle East crisis compared to previous global shocks. In the past, many countries quickly imposed export bans on agricultural commodities or inputs, but this time, nearly two months after the war began, there has been no widespread shift toward such restrictions.

As the Southern Hemisphere lemon harvest season begins, global lemon supply is increasing significantly due to higher production from Chile, South Africa, and Argentina.

South Africa Wine and Wines of South Africa (WoSA) have welcomed the introduction of a zero-tariff regime on South African wine exports to China, which takes effect from 1 May 2026 for an initial two-year period (until May 2028).

Die Buro vir Ekonomiese Navorsing sê beter koördinering is nodig tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank en die Nasionale Tesourie met wêreldwye olieprysskokke as gevolg van spanning in die Straat van Hormuz. Volgens die buro kan tydelike brandstofheffingverligting help om inflasie laer te hou en druk op rentekoerse te verminder.

South Africa’s winter crop farmers face a challenging start to the 2026-27 production season. Lower commodity prices resulting from ample global wheat supplies are one challenge. But the sharply higher fuel and fertiliser prices are an even more pressing challenge as the season starts in the Western Cape and proceeds to other provinces over the coming two months.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has been strongly criticised for alleged delay tactics in the rollout of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination programme. On 28 April 2026, farmer organisations (Sakeliga, SAAI, and Free State Agriculture) told the High Court that the Minister and his department were obstructing private procurement and administration of FMD vaccines.

Local government in South Africa has largely collapsed. Service delivery is either extremely poor or completely absent across many municipalities, from large cities to small towns. Coalition governments have also failed to bring improvement and have often resulted in further chaos

The future of global food security may increasingly depend on properly supporting Africa’s small-scale farmers.Small farms under two hectares represent five out of every six farms worldwide. Although they occupy only about 12% of global agricultural land, they produce roughly 35% of the world’s food.

Die Organisasie Teen Belastingmisbruik, sê hoewel die verlenging van die brandstofheffingverligting in Mei korttermynhulp aan verbruikers bied, moet die regering die geleentheid gebruik om fiskale dissipline te versterk. Die organisasie vra strenger beheer oor openbare besteding, minder verkwistende uitgawes en verbeterde deursigtigheid rondom strategiese brandstofreserwes.

Early projections indicate that global cotton consumption will remain stable at around 25 million tonnes. However, global production is forecast to decline by approximately 4% to 24.9 million tonnes, mainly due to lower cotton prices and weak demand, especially from China.

The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak is having a devastating impact on South Africa’s feedlotting and meat processing industry.According to research by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), a typical feedlot with an average herd size of 20,000 cattle can suffer financial losses of between R100 million and R140 million due to FMD

Local butter production in South Africa increased by approximately 40% between 2022 and 2025, largely replacing imported butter and resulting in a significant foreign exchange saving of R256 million.

The distribution of the first 2 million doses of the Turkish Dollvet foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine to provinces in South Africa has been delayed by one week due to a new, slower clearing process by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

Die stygende brandstofpryse en Transnet se moontlike bykomende houerheffings plaas groot druk op Suid-Afrikaanse sitrusprodusente, wat reeds met dun winsmarges worstel

Potatoes SA is planning to restructure its statutory levy system to secure more stable and equitable funding for the next phase of industry growth and expansion.

The Minister of Agriculture has once again missed a court-ordered deadline to publish the Section 10 scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccinations. The Pretoria High Court has now set a new deadline of 5 May 2026 and has strongly criticised the conduct of the Minister and his department.

South Africa’s sugarcane industry has welcomed the extension of temporary fuel levy relief and the increase in diesel levy support, as another steep diesel price rise threatens farming costs. Diesel is a major expense in agriculture, and many of the country’s 27,000 small-scale cane growers are under serious financial pressure.

NOTE -

CRA Media is committed to high-quality, responsible journalism in the agriculture sector. We do not publish sensationalist content or hate speech. Only material that meets strict quality standards will be featured. We will not platform individuals or groups who seek to undermine commercial farmers, their families, or the agricultural industry.

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Gen Z readily spends $7 daily on specialty oat milk lattes, contributing to a $48 billion industry, but hesitates to spend $15 on a bottle of wine. The wine industry has been concerned about declining consumption among young people, but the real issue is not price sensitivity or anti-alcohol sentiment.Gen Z understands quality, origin, single-origin, and small-batch concepts from the coffee world, which communicates craft, farmer stories, and process in an inviting and accessible way. In contrast, wine often feels elitist, using critic scores and foreign region names that create a sense of exclusion.The irony is that wine offers far better value: a $20 bottle provides multiple shared glasses, enhances meals and social connection, and creates memorable experiences — far more than a quickly consumed $7 latte. Yet wine has lost the marketing battle by making expertise feel like a barrier rather than something welcoming.The author argues that Gen Z will pay for quality when it is explained inclusively. The piece suggests that the sweet spot for good value in wine lies in the $15–$25 range, rather than ultra-cheap options.

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AGRI NEWS NET stands as South Africa’s leading source for farming and agriculture news, delivering trusted, up-to-date content 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With over 50 “good news stories you can trust,” the platform is driven by 30 years of practical farming and media experience, ensuring a deep understanding of the needs and realities of farmers and the agricultural sector. AGRI NEWS NET prides itself on being committed, independent, focused, and always on time. As part of the CRA Group, the platform leverages its extensive expertise to provide reliable, farmer-centric news. Its content is compiled using advanced AI technology, ensuring accuracy and relevance while staying connected to the broader global farming and agriculture community. For the third consecutive year, AGRI NEWS NET’s Daily Audiocast has been ranked among the top 15 agricultural podcasts on Feedspot, a testament to its quality and impact. The audiocast delivers concise, engaging updates, making it a go-to resource for farmers, industry professionals, and agriculture enthusiasts seeking timely insights. With a focus on “good news stories,” AGRI NEWS NET highlights positive developments, innovations, and successes in South African agriculture. Rooted in real-world farming knowledge and media expertise, AGRI NEWS NET bridges the gap between farmers, policymakers, and the public. Its AI-driven platform ensures comprehensive coverage, from local issues . By focusing on practical, trustworthy content, AGRI NEWS NET empowers the agricultural community to stay informed and inspired. 

为兔子捏一把汗，都不敢大声喘气，看到兔子脱离危险，才长出一口气。

绝境突围下野兔的生死战，你更看好猎狗还是野兔？ pic.twitter.com/Uh9LrIYr08

— 落叶知秋 (@haiou1850962) May 1, 2026

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