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The global banana market is mixed, with demand recovering in some regions but rising costs squeezing margins.In Europe, the Netherlands has seen prices recover after a very difficult summer of weak demand and oversupply, with green bananas now at €15-16.50.
The global banana market is mixed, with demand recovering in some regions but rising costs squeezing margins.In Europe, the Netherlands has seen prices recover after a very difficult summer of weak demand and oversupply, with green bananas now at €15-16.50.
This week brings several major themes moving agricultural markets in different directions. In the grain market, South Africa has a record maize crop while US prices are moving lower, yet local maize prices remain relatively firm. A weaker rand is helping to offset some of the international pressure, but the question is how long that support can last.
South African farmers are facing mounting pressure from several sides at once, with little financial room to recover when something goes wrong. Farming has always been unpredictable, but risks now rarely happen in isolation — a farmer may lose part of a crop to a storm and then need to replace expensive machinery while input costs are already high.
Saoedi-Arabië is dringend op soek na rooivleis, ook uit Suid-Afrika, wat n groot geleentheid vir die plaaslike beesvleisbedryf bied.Op vanjaar se voedselskou in Djedda einde September het dit geblyk dat die vraag na vleis baie dringend is. Uitstallers uit 95 lande het meer as 100 000 produkte gewys.
Parliament is processing a Second Special Appropriation Bill that would withdraw R10 billion from the National Revenue Fund to help stabilise fuel prices and shield consumers from ongoing volatility. The Standing Committee on Appropriations has adopted its report on the bill, which was tabled by the Minister of Finance on 31 July 2026.
Die wolmark het die afgelope week herstel in die 7de veiling van die 2026/27-seisoen.Die gesertifiseerde indeks het met 2,9% gestyg, ná drie weke van dalings. Volgens John Lapersonne van Lapersonne Wool is die styging ondersteun deur n swakker rand/dollar-wisselkoers.
Weather conditions in the south-western Cape over the next two weeks will be influenced by cold fronts, bringing light rain to the winter rainfall region. Good falls are also expected over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, while medium-term forecasts indicate that rain may start occurring in isolated areas of the summer rainfall region.
South Africas petrol price breaching R30 a litre from 7 October is described as an affordability shock. Inland 95-octane will rise by R3.33 to R30.25 and 93-octane by R3.12 to R29.88, adding about R166.50 to fill a 50-litre tank. The cost will flow through road-dependent supply chains into taxi fares, groceries, school transport and small business costs.
Trade union Solidarity has submitted a proposed settlement to the South African and US governments aimed at easing diplomatic tensions and safeguarding South Africa’s access to preferential trade under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has been extended to the end of 2028 but still requires countries to meet eligibility criteria.
South African farmers are being advised to take practical steps to strengthen their businesses ahead of a potentially intense El Niño that is expected to last until at least February 2027, bringing a higher chance of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures.
Fresh produce markets saw sharp moves this week, led by double digit jumps in potatoes and tomatoes while onions remain extraordinarily high compared to last year. Potatoes rose more than 15% to R77.49 per 10kg on low opening stocks, though heavier arrivals later in the week could pull the weekly average down.
Currency volatility remains a major challenge for South Africas agriculture sector as international exposure grows.
Recent forecasts point to a potentially intense El Niño during South Africa’s 2026/27 summer season, raising the likelihood of above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall in many production areas.
Agricultural specialist Dr Karen Truter has offered ten practical tips to help South African farmers manage the uncertainties of a potential El Niño season without making drastic or fear-driven changes.She advises farmers not to abandon their proven practices based solely on forecasts, and to continue applying lime where needed as a cost-effective way to improve long-term soil productivity.
The Automobile Association of South Africa has called for an immediate R5.25 per litre cut in petrol prices, after 95 octane inland passed R30/L on 7 October.What AA wants:National Treasury: Cut the general fuel levy by R3/L, as it did in April 2026 (which cost ~R17bn).
Dr. Theo De Jager het Woensdagaand by die Konvokasie van die Universiteit Stellenbosch uitgetree, ’n geleentheid wat ook die geleentheid bied om stil te staan by die bydrae van landbouleiers soos Tommie van Zyl.
The outlook for South Africa’s imported lychee season to the United States is slightly lower than last year’s bumper crop, though volumes are still expected to support strong wholesale and retail programmes.
In Q2 2026, South Africas total merchandise exports rose 15% year-on-year, while imports grew 22%, narrowing the overall trade surplus by 35%.Since Q2 2021, imports have increased by 69% compared with 20% export growth, and the surplus has narrowed from R163bn to R38bn.Agricultures quarterly net trade improved marginally from 2025, despite imports growing slightly faster than exports.
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Weaner calves (200–250 kg) averaged approximately R50.41/kg, with top lots reaching R53–R56/kg. Class A2/3 beef carcasses traded around R66–R67/kg, while Class C prices were lower at roughly R55–R58/kg. Prices have been supported by tighter supply following foot-and-mouth disease impacts and reduced slaughter volumes.
- White maize: R4,268 per tonne (up R124 on the day)
- Yellow maize: R4,220 per tonne (up R76)
- Wheat: R6,000 per tonne (down R30)
- Sunflower seed: R10,404 per tonne (up R46)
- Soybeans: R9,553 per tonne (up R14)
- President Ramaphosa visits Redlands Dairy Farm and calls for more similar black- and youth-owned commercial enterprises
- Government plans to release 2.5 million hectares of land to black farmers with title deeds
- Land Bank Blended Finance Scheme funding restoration efforts underway for emerging farmers
- South Africa faces smallest wheat harvest in eight years at 1.81 million tonnes
- Wheat imports expected to rise to about 2.0 million tonnes in 2026/27 marketing year
- Record maize crop of approximately 17.5–18 million tonnes supports food security
- Strong El Niño forecast to bring hotter, drier conditions through February 2027
- Farmers urged to prepare cash-flow budgets and reserves for possible tough summer
- Agri SA CEO Johan Kotzé highlights financial pressure from FMD, input costs and El Niño
- Foot-and-mouth disease continues to strain livestock producers and export markets
- Namibia FMD outbreak disrupts weaner and sheep exports to South Africa
- Talks between Namibia and South Africa on reopening livestock auctions
- Citrus export estimate revised downward to 197.9 million cartons for 2026
- Table grape season expected to start 10–14 days early due to warmer weather
- Western Cape exporters report R2.8 billion drop in exports to the United States
- High fuel, fertiliser and electricity costs force some farmers to cut jobs and output
- National African Farmers Union calls for temporary fuel levy relief
- SAFEX maize prices remain supported despite record domestic crop
- Soybean and sunflower deliveries near completion for current season
- Agricultural exports reached around R266–268 billion in 2025
- Egypt opens market to South African red meat after veterinary agreement
- Competition Commission seeks to reverse Premier-RFG merger over fruit-canning plant concerns
- Cybersecurity risks rising as farms adopt more connected irrigation and sensors
- Winter crop production estimated at 2.67 million tonnes overall
- Barley, canola and oats plantings up while wheat area declines
- Farmers advised to focus on drought-tolerant cultivars and soil moisture conservation
- Livestock numbers should be kept in line with veld carrying capacity ahead of El Niño
- Progress claimed in FMD vaccination campaigns in some provinces
- Input cost inflation continues to squeeze farm margins across commodities
- Emerging farmers face greater need for affordable and patient capital
- Partnerships, skills and mentorship highlighted as key to successful land reform
- Export market diversification into BRICS, Middle East and Asia remains a priority
- AGOA uncertainty and US trade tensions continue to affect agricultural exporters
- High-value horticulture (citrus, grapes, nuts) remains important for export earnings
- Macadamia industry shifts focus from area expansion to higher value per hectare
- Sugar industry continues to face pressure from the Health Promotion Levy
- Red meat prices under watch due to FMD and import disruptions from Namibia
- Grain silo deliveries reflect strong 2025/26 summer crop performance
- Weather forecasts indicate lighter rain in western interior over coming weeks
- Dam levels in Western Cape lower than same time last year despite recent rain
- Call for coordinated industry-government response to FMD and biosecurity
- Development finance needed for farmers unable to access commercial credit
- Precision agriculture and digital tools gaining attention for climate resilience
- Youth and black commercial farming successes promoted as models for scaling
- Logistics and port inefficiencies remain a constraint on agricultural exports
- Fertiliser and energy price volatility linked to global geopolitical tensions
- Cover crops and soil health practices promoted for drought resilience
- Localisation of new energy vehicle components discussed for agricultural machinery
- Rural economic development tied to successful commercial farming enterprises
- Overall sector remains a key contributor to jobs, growth and food security despite multiple challenges
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South African Dam Levels Report – Start of October 2026
- Free State & North West: 102.8%
- Northern Cape: 100.7%
- Gauteng: 100.8%
- Mpumalanga: 99.1%
- Limpopo: 98.9%
- Eastern Cape: 96.2%
- KwaZulu-Natal: 88.3%
- Western Cape: 80–80.5%
- Gariep Dam: ~107%
- Vanderkloof Dam: ~107%
- Vaal Dam: 95.4% (down notably from the previous week)
- Bloemhof Dam: 99.9%
- Sterkfontein Dam: 99%
- Theewaterskloof Dam (Western Cape): ~75–76%
- Cape Town system dams combined: ~75.4–75.7%
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Status Report – South Africa, Namibia & Botswana
Regional livestock disease update | 10 October 2026
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a serious threat to livestock farming, animal movement and agricultural trade in Southern Africa. The latest available official information confirms that all three countries face disease-control challenges, although the situation and international disease status differ between countries and zones.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can cause production losses, movement restrictions and disruption to livestock markets and exports. It is not generally considered a human health risk.
1. South Africa: Widespread control efforts continue
South Africa continues to manage FMD outbreaks, with vaccination and movement controls central to the response. The Department of Agriculture’s latest technical update listed on its official website is dated 31 August 2026. I could not verify a newer national technical report published by 10 October.
The Department’s April technical report identified SAT1 and SAT2 outbreaks, mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the country. These are the serotypes recorded in that report; it should not be treated as a complete October outbreak map.In June, the national government reported that it had procured 13.5 million vaccine doses and that just under 4.4 million animals had been vaccinated by 28 May. Those figures are historical progress figures, not the current October total.
What this means for farmers: vaccination must be combined with strict movement controls, animal traceability, farm biosecurity and rapid reporting of suspected cases. Farmers should follow the latest instructions issued by their provincial veterinary services.
2. Namibia: New outbreak in the south
Namibia faces a significant setback following an FMD outbreak confirmed on 23 September 2026 on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, in the //Kharas Region near the South African border.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) suspended Namibia’s recognised FMD-free zone status, where vaccination was not practised, with effect from 22 September 2026. This is a change in the affected zone’s international disease status; it does not mean every part of Namibia has an active outbreak.
Namibian authorities introduced movement controls and an export ban affecting cloven-hoofed animals and their products. The outbreak also led to temporary restrictions by the European Union on certain fresh meat and processed meat products from the previously FMD-free zone.
The outbreak is particularly concerning for Namibia’s livestock industry because disease status and market access are important to its meat-export trade.
3. Botswana: Restrictions and zone-specific disease status
Botswana has also experienced FMD outbreaks in 2026. WOAH records show that the country’s recognised FMD-free status without vaccination was suspended in several zones following outbreaks.
These include:
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25 January 2026: suspension affecting Zone 6b, including part of the Francistown area.
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3 February 2026: suspension affecting Zone 3c at Maitengwe.
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31 March 2026: suspension affecting a group of zones following an outbreak in Barolong, Southern District.
Botswana still has recognised FMD-free zones, so it is important not to describe the whole country as having lost all disease-free status. The precise status and movement rules depend on the relevant zone and the latest veterinary orders.
In May, South Africa and Botswana endorsed a 2026–2028 action plan intended to improve cooperation on vaccination, border-fence maintenance, diagnostic capacity, traceability and cross-border disease control.
Latest Sale - 7th auction of 2026/27 season - 7 October 2026
The market rebounded after a 5.2% drop the previous week.
Next sale: 14 October 2026, approx 5,489 bales on offer.
Market news: Fine and superfine lots (18.5 micron and finer) are 15% higher than 19-21 micron types, driving the price gap wider. Rand/US$ averaged R16.61 at the last sale, keeping prices attractive for export despite FMD-related logistics pressures.
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OOM KERNEELS
Van die Plaas af:
Dis al weer die helfte van Oktober en Kersfees kom vinnig nader - maar op 'n plaas is daar nie tyd vir weke lange vakansie langs die see wat so 'n tradisie geword het nie. Of mense die vakansie so in hulle duisende see toe gaan, weet ek nie - want jy het duisende rand nodig om by die see te kom, om nie eers van die uitbuiting by die see te praat nie.
Hier by ons is dit lekker nat en ons voorbereiding vir die nuwe seisoen is in volle gang. Ek het voer geplant en dit staan groen en binnekort jaag ek my skape in. Dis baie warm vandag en ek sien dit gaan nog warmer word.
Ek sien die manne met hulle geleerdheid en dik brille is oral aan die skryf oor El Niño en maak almal bang. Ek onthou die jare tagti (1983) waar ons 7 jaar van droogte ons gehad het - dit het kol- kol gereën en party boere was gelukkig en het rekord oeste afgehaal terwyl ons hier 'n hele week gestroop het aan 'n LM sleepwa van 10 ton mielies teen R400 per ton.
In die jaar 1981 het ek 120 ton mielies gestroop voor 1 uur - en by die graansuiers is toue gestaan met vragmotors om af te laai. Jy kon nie 'n vragmotor of sleepwa koop nie - dit was baie skaars. Ons boere staan sterk ten spyte van al die aanslae teen ons- en ons is dankbaar vir die manne wat voor veg- daar is paar" Hanskakies"- maar ons sien hulle op afstand.
Maar ongelukkig het die wêreld "Greedy" geword - en van die inset verskaffers wil sulke dik salarisse verdien uit ons uit - om nie eers van die banke te praat nie. Hulle sê hulle is goed vir ons, maar daardie persoonlike bankbestuurder by die tak is meer daar nie -die man by wie jy kon koffie gaan drink in sy kantoor en hy alles geweet wat in die distrik aan die gang was-
NEE dis nou sulke jong geleerde mense wat nie veel weet van Landbou, wat net op die rekenaar werk met jou inligting en dan besluit "DIE "of jy goed genoeg is. Jy is net 'n nommer. Jy het nou 'n "CREDIET SCORE" en dit is baie belangrik - Die finansiële wêreld is koud, maar hulle wil dik stukke vleis eet en lekker braai.
So van vleis praat - ek sien die manne in hulle spierwit togas en rokke daar in verre Ooste -wil ons vleis hê. Baie goeie nuus - maar ek verneem by my informante dat daar maar baie politiek is en dat dit net 'n paar uitgesoekte mense is wat toegang het tot die markte. Maar ek kan niks sê nie - ek is maar op die plaas. En hier moet ons alles agter slot en grendel hou- Steel is nou algemeen - want daar is mense wat honger is- en 'n regering met vol sakke- maar die gruwel manier waarop die rampokkers skape en beeste steel is barbaars-
Ek moet sê, ek het nou so 'n bietjie genoeg gehad van rugby. Ek het die wedstryde gister gekyk - maar dis nou maar my gevoel.
En daar wen die All Blacks die Wallibies..die Bulle die Lions en die Stomers die Sharks. Daar is 'n paar jongmanne wat lekker arrogant is.. hulle moet n "Show"opsit.
Gertuida was my nou die dag van 'n paar jong manne wat op sosiale media wat nie skroom om enige vloekwoord te gebruik nie - en van die manne is televisie-aanbieders en sangers. So gaan ons wêrel agteruit. Ons mense is besig om waardes te verloor- en as ek so kyk - is baie onder die belt.
Die wereld en meeste van sy inwoners is vervelig,en aanvallig- Die mense het baie min geduld en daar is baie min wat meeste van die mense opgewonde maak behalwe om barbaars op te tree. Die hele sosiale media is 'n weerspieeling van die oorgrote mensdom op aarde. Jy is elke keer verbaas om te sien waarmee mens op kom en die standaard wat elke dag daa
Groete uit die Vrystaat
Tot volgende week.
Mag julle almal ’n lekker week he ons gesels weer. OOM Kerneels.
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