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South Africa's agricultural economic outlook could grow by 8% in 2026, with strong export performance - agricultural exports up 11% year-on-year to US$7.8 billion in the first half of 2026, supported by robust output in fruits, grains and oilseeds.
Die Universiteit van Pretoria (UP) se Fakulteit Veeartsenykunde en Hemmersbach Rhino Force het 'n mylpaal bereik met die geboorte van Suid-Afrika se eerste vulletjies uit bevrore embrio's wat deur intrasitoplasmiese sperm inspuiting (ICSI) ontwikkel is.
Africa holds incredible agricultural biodiversity yet millions still face hunger, and experts at a recent Young Professionals for Agricultural Development webinar said the solution lies in indigenous crops, agro-processing and youth-led innovation.
According to Agri North West, stock theft is increasing in the province, while the national trend shows a decline. All livestock farmers are warned to be on alert in December, when stock theft is usually a bigger problem.North West police reported two recent cases this past week. In Groot Marico, a farmer found blood and the head of a slaughtered waterbuck on routine patrol on Friday 9 October.
Tongaat Hulett’s delisting from the JSE marks progress in its business rescue plan. Shares have been suspended since July 2022 and the company entered business rescue in October 2022. The delisting was contemplated in the plan adopted by creditors in January 2024 and was not opposed by the practitioners or directors.
SA farmers' experience operating under pressure could become valuable as the world becomes more fragmented.At the Dohne Merino Conference near Kleinmond, the concept of "South Africanisation of the world" was discussed - widening divides where functioning private enclaves exist alongside deteriorating public infrastructure.
More sunny, dry and at times hot conditions are expected over large parts of the country over the next few days. Isolated thundershowers are forecast over the central to eastern parts during the weekend and on Monday, but totals should stay below 20 mm, with somewhat more substantial rain possible over eastern to northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The season's fourth mohair sale offered 168,569kg of good quality mohair, but only 73% sold, with more than 80% of sold hair bought by the top two processing houses, Stucken and Samil. After several steady seasons, the adult market came under severe pressure, with all types down 5% on softer Asian demand, while finer kid mohair held relatively stable.
Botswana could be closer to regaining access to the South African market after Pretoria submitted proposed biosecurity protocols to resume imports.Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp said South Africa has sent protocols to Botswana and is awaiting a response, with compartmentation of FMD-free zones as an option to allow trade from areas proven free of disease
Chris Burges says the older he gets, the less patience he has for endless opinions and arguments - like his father, he now simply switches off the car radio when he can no longer listen to certain views.Instead, he is more interested in what South Africans can agree on. Given the problems and harsh realities facing the country, he believes most would agree we need to create far more jobs and therefore wealth.
South Africa’s agricultural sector is projected to grow by 8–9% in 2026, but rising input costs, animal disease and climate risks remain major challenges.
The ninth wool sale of the season had 6,050 bales on the floor, with 63% testing at 20 microns and finer, but only 45% of that finer wool was long length. The market was under pressure in line with Australia and a stronger rand against the dollar made trading tougher.
R10 billion package funded by simply moving R10 billion back from the Central Energy Fund to the National Revenue Fund creates the illusion of help without new borrowing, does nothing structural for farming and agri.This is not real relief,it is a political maneuver to buy votes.
Overall agriculture grew 3.5% in the first half of 2026 showing resilience, but this does not necessarily mean individual family farms have become more profitable or sustainable amid rising input costs, animal diseases, infrastructure problems and economic uncertainty, and government's role should be to create an environment in which farmers can farm successfully.\
RPO Vrystaat is bekommerd oor die stigting van die nuwe Rooivleisforum deur Vrystaat Landbou sonder voorafgaande oorleg met bestaande organisasies..
El Niño is a climate pattern caused by sustained warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. It forms part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which also includes La Niña and neutral phases, and often increases the chance of below-normal summer rainfall and higher temperatures across Southern Africa.
South Africas strawberry industry is in the final four months of peak harvest, with 80% of the crop exported and 90% of those exports going to the Middle East until around November.
SARS paid 94 top managers R270 million in the last financial year, about R5.2 million per week, with average remuneration for top management reaching R2.87 million per person, according to its 2026 Annual Report.
If you are using our content in your media coverage or on any agricultural radio programme, we would greatly appreciate it if you could credit the source. We understand how valuable and convenient this information can be—especially on a Monday morning after a weekend of NO WORK .

Latest available data (as of 23–24 October 2026)Cattle (Beef) – Farm-gate / Carcass prices (R/kg)
|
Class
|
Price (R/kg)
|
|---|---|
|
Weaner calf
|
52.38
|
|
A2/3
|
65.81
|
|
B2/3
|
59.47
|
|
C2/3
|
58.73
|
Note: Some AMT reports from mid-October showed A2/3 around R64.33/kg, indicating mild softening in recent weeks.Sheep (Lamb/Mutton) – Farm-gate / Carcass prices (R/kg)
|
Class
|
Price (R/kg)
|
|---|---|
|
Feeder lamb (speenlammer)
|
56.00
|
|
A2/3
|
114.68
|
|
B2/3
|
84.38
|
|
C2/3
|
83.90
|
|
Category
|
Price (R/kg)
|
|---|---|
|
Baconers
|
29.99
|
|
Porkers
|
28.97
|
Prices have been relatively stable to firm amid disease-related supply issues earlier in the year.Chicken (Poultry)Exact daily/weekly abattoir prices for 24 October are not yet widely published.
- Recent Absa forecasts for 2026: Fresh whole bird ≈ R40.96/kg; Frozen whole bird ≈ R34.88/kg.
- September 2026 retail average (selected chicken products): ≈ R70.76/kg.
- Earlier AMT reports (September) showed frozen ex-abattoir prices around R32–R33/kg range.
- Beef carcass prices have eased slightly from earlier peaks.
- Lamb prices remain very strong (well above R110/kg for A2/3).
- Pork is holding firm.
- Poultry continues gradual recovery but remains sensitive to biosecurity and feed costs.
- Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the region and import restrictions continue to influence red-meat markets.
Latest available SAFEX (JSE) settlement prices – Friday, 23 October 2026
(December 2026 contracts, rand per metric tonne)
|
Commodity
|
Settlement Price
|
Daily Change
|
|---|---|---|
|
White maize
|
R3 970/t
|
−R150
|
|
Yellow maize
|
R3 937/t
|
−R98
|
|
Wheat
|
R5 988/t
|
+R5
|
|
Sunflower seed
|
R10 600/t
|
−R19
|
|
Soybeans
|
R9 033/t
|
+R35
|
- These are the official exchange settlement prices for the December 2026 contract month.
- No trading took place on Saturday, 24 October 2026 (weekend).
- White and yellow maize saw sharp declines on Friday, while soybeans firmed and wheat was little changed.
- Department of Agriculture spending rose 116% in the first half of 2026/27, driven mainly by emergency foot-and-mouth disease vaccine procurement.
- Government reprioritised R423.4 million plus a R183 million rollover to secure additional FMD vaccines.
- On 20 October the South African Feedlot Association unanimously decided not to support live cattle and beef imports from Namibia and Botswana while FMD risk remains.
- The association warned that allowing imports now could damage confidence among international beef buyers critical for export growth.
- Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp submitted biosecurity protocols to Botswana to allow trade to resume from designated FMD-free compartments.
- South Africa and Namibia agreed that sheep and cattle should have separate import protocols after an outbreak in Namibia’s Karas Region.
- South Africa regained access to Egypt for beef exports after finalising a new Veterinary Health Certificate in September 2026.
- An outbreak at Karan Beef disrupted slaughter of about 2,000 head per day and led China, Namibia and Zimbabwe to temporarily suspend imports.
- Beef exports had already fallen 26.1% year on year in 2024 after South Africa lost its FMD-free without vaccination status.
- BFAP estimates a prolonged FMD outbreak could cost R13.1 billion over five years in production and export losses.
- The state has ordered more than 900,000 vaccine doses and is working toward recognition as FMD-free with vaccination.
- Industry bodies are calling for a mandatory national livestock traceability system to improve disease control.
- The Crop Estimates Committee’s sixth forecast puts the 2026 commercial maize crop at a record 17.523 million tonnes.
- The maize crop includes about 9.6 million tonnes of white maize and 7.9 million tonnes of yellow maize, with 82% coming from Free State, Mpumalanga and North West.
- Soybean production is also expected to hit a record of 3.01 million tonnes in 2026.
- Sunflower seed is forecast at 877,680 tonnes.
- Groundnuts are forecast up 4.9% to 65,620 tonnes.
- Total summer grains and oilseeds reached a record 21.6 million tonnes in 2025/26, up 5% year on year.
- Wheat for 2026/27 is forecast at 1.81 million tonnes, an eight-year low and down 5% due to dryness in the Western Cape and high input costs.
- Wheat imports are revised up from 1.9 to 2.0 million tonnes to cover the shortfall.
- Barley production is expected up 20% to 414,600 tonnes.
- Canola production is expected to reach 377,800 tonnes as farmers shift away from wheat.
- Farmers intend to plant 486,400 hectares of wheat for 2026, down 6%, because barley and canola offer better margins and rotational benefits.
- The Grain SA case against the JSE over soya location differentials was postponed to 6 November 2026.
- In the first six weeks of the 2026/27 marketing year producers delivered 2.0 million tonnes of maize to silos, 17% behind last year after late rains.
- The World Meteorological Organisation confirmed a very strong El Niño event peaking from October 2026 to January 2027.
- The South African Weather Service forecasts below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures for most of the country this summer.
- A high-level roundtable on El Niño preparedness was convened on 12 October by Wandile Sihlobo, the NAMC and Bayer.
- National dam levels were around 90% on 5 October, compared with 60% in the 2015/16 drought, providing a better buffer.
- Input costs remain tight after diesel rose more than 50% year on year earlier in 2026 alongside higher fertiliser and electricity prices.
- The R1.50 per litre fuel levy cut means petrol is expected up 2 cents in November and diesel down 5.3%, with minimal impact on food CPI.
- Treasury raised the contingency reserve to R10 billion to respond to climate disasters and a possible El Niño drought.
- President Ramaphosa announced on 12 October the release of about 2.5 million hectares of state land to Black farmers with title deeds.
- Minister Aucamp and AFASA plan to identify 100 qualifying farmers per province currently on state-leased land for ownership transfer.
- Land Bank arrears improved from R40 billion in March 2020 to R6.9 billion in March 2026, though investor confidence remains low.
- Government granted a R10 billion guarantee to help Land Bank raise funding and meet debt due in March 2028.
- New applications to Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme remain suspended, with funding going only to existing pipeline applications.
- At the AGDA conference in Boksburg lenders said farmers must separate personal and business finances and understand cash flow and repayment capacity.
- The Department supported 8,364 smallholders in the first half of the year against an annual target of 60,000.
- AgriSA’s congress on 14-15 October set five priorities including land and development, natural resources, labour, rural safety and economics and trade.
- AgriSA highlighted port and rail reform, rural broadband, biosecurity and trade diversification as critical for competitiveness.
- Agricultural exports reached $7.8 billion in the first half of 2026, up 11% year on year despite logistics problems at Cape Town port.
- Global wheat ending stocks remain elevated at around 276 million tonnes but Black Sea logistics keep procurement risks high.
- The National Department of Agriculture held its quarterly planning meeting in Benoni on 12-13 October to review performance.
- World Food Day was hosted on 16 October in Tosca Village in North West under the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”.
- The National Food and Nutrition Security Plan achieved only 11 of 65 objectives and the R86.8 billion needed was never secured.
- Despite producing enough food to feed everyone, more than 63% of households are food insecure and the coordinating council never met.
- Africa produces about 7.5 million tonnes of beef worth $63 billion, with South Africa leading at 1 million tonnes worth $8 billion.
- Research indicates South Africa could grow beef exports from 5% to 20% of production if markets in the Middle East and Far East are opened.
- Shipping disruptions via the Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz and Yemen in 2026 forced some exporters to use more expensive airfreight.

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As at the start of 24 October 2026 (latest available data)National Overview
- National average dam storage: 96.2% (as reported by the Department of Water and Sanitation around 21 October 2026).
- This is down from 97.3% the previous week.
- Levels remain healthy overall, but a gradual seasonal decline is underway heading into the hotter months. Authorities continue to urge responsible water use.
|
Province
|
Average Level
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
|
North West
|
~101.7%
|
Highest
|
|
Free State
|
~100.6%
|
Very high
|
|
Gauteng
|
~100.6%
|
Very high
|
|
Northern Cape
|
~98.9%
|
High
|
|
Mpumalanga
|
98.3%
|
Slight weekly decline; conservation urged
|
|
Limpopo
|
~97.9%
|
High
|
|
Eastern Cape
|
~94.7%
|
Good
|
|
KwaZulu-Natal
|
~87.9%
|
Moderate
|
|
Western Cape
|
~79.9%
|
Lowest; continuing seasonal drop
|
(Total stored: ±664 236 Ml out of 898 221 Ml capacity)
|
Major Dam
|
Level (%)
|
|---|---|
|
Berg River
|
94.3
|
|
Steenbras Upper
|
100.3
|
|
Steenbras Lower
|
48.5
|
|
Theewaterskloof
|
73.6
|
|
Voëlvlei
|
56.1
|
|
Wemmershoek
|
82.2
|
- Most large national dams (Gariep, Vanderkloof, Vaal, Sterkfontein, etc.) remain near or above full supply capacity.
- Western Cape is the main area of concern relative to other provinces, though still well above critical drought levels.
- Mpumalanga has seen a slight weekly decline and residents have been asked to use water sparingly.
- With summer and potential El Niño-related drier conditions approaching, monitoring and conservation remain important.

South Africa, Namibia & Botswana – as at 24 October 2026 Namibia
- Confirmed: 23 September 2026 (Karasburg State Veterinary District).
- Status as of 21 October:
– 18 farms confirmed infected
– 131 positive animals (serotype SAT1)
– 93 farms inspected within a 50 km radius of the index farm – surveillance completed
– No new infected farms reported since mid-October; outbreak remains confined to the Karasburg district. - Control measures: 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints; compulsory vaccination campaign started 17 October (target ≈13 000 cattle; 1 296 vaccinated by 21 October).
- Confirmed: 6 October 2026 on Kalala Island.
- No new cases reported outside the designated Disease Management Area.
- 42 286 cattle vaccinated across 34 crush pens by 21 October.
- WOAH suspended FMD-free status (zone without vaccination) on 22 September 2026.
- Livestock movement and trade restrictions remain in place (partial lifting north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence outside Zambezi).
- Authorities estimate it could take up to two years to eliminate the disease from a proposed containment zone.
- Total cattle vaccinated nationwide: ≈43 582.
- FMD remains present with a large number of unresolved outbreaks.
- As of the end of September 2026 official report: 1 501 open outbreaks and 1 370 closed (total 2 871 reported).
- Highest open cases: Eastern Cape (421) and KwaZulu-Natal (346). Outbreaks recorded in all nine provinces.
- Government continues vaccination programmes and movement controls. Progress is being made, but full resolution is slow, partly due to buffalo reservoirs in some areas.
- South Africa is working toward recognition as FMD-free with vaccination in the longer term.
- Limited recent public detail in the latest reports.
- South Africa has submitted biosecurity protocols to Botswana to potentially resume trade from designated FMD-free compartments.
- Botswana continues to face its own FMD challenges; livestock exports remain restricted in many cases.
- The South African Feedlot Association (SAFA) has unanimously decided not to support live cattle or beef imports from Namibia and Botswana while FMD risk remains, prioritising protection of South Africa’s export markets and disease-control credibility.
- Cross-border discussions between South African and Namibian industry bodies are ongoing regarding possible separate protocols for sheep and cattle.
- Imports of weaner calves and slaughter sheep from Namibia (important for the SA market) remain suspended or heavily restricted, contributing to tighter local supply and higher prices for weaners and lamb.
The regional FMD situation remains serious. Namibia’s southern outbreak is contained but not yet eradicated, while South Africa continues to manage a high number of open cases. Strict movement controls, vaccination and regional cooperation are the main strategies. Trade in live animals and fresh meat between the three countries is significantly disrupted.

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OOM KERNEELS
Van die Plaas af:
Die Vrystaat lyk darem baie mooi op die oomblik, maar daai Westewinde droog alles weer uit. Dis maar ons natuur en ons moet daarmee saamleef.Ek het die week 'n hele voorband afgekryf in een van die land se bekende slaggate. As jy my 40 jaar terug gesê het ons paaie gaan so lyk, het ek vir jou gelag.
Water is lewe, en die regering en sy meelopers het geen genade nie. Vir baie mense gaan dit deesdae net oor die pos, die salaris en die motor en die mooi klere. Dis alles net 'n "show". Soveel is siek van vuil water- ek hoop daar is 'n paar van die manne en vrouens wat finaal verwyder word. Maar met die aanloop van die verkiesings is daar baie beloftes en die dit realiseer baie min. Die regering dink hy het ons 'n guns gedoen met die subsidie op die brandstof prys- dis net ons eiegeld wat hy gebruik. En wie ookal opgewonde raak moet maar wakker word.
Die week het die manne met die grade en dik brille weer vir ure gesels oor landbou, terwyl die regte egte boere rustig voort boer en werk. Ons boere is doeners, nie praters nie. Daai ure lange gepraat op die verhoog is nie vir my nie. As al die gesels kan realiseer, dan moet ons kyk wat gebeur. Dalk is dit goed as die slim manne so vergader- op die einde wil almal maar hulle pond vleis maak uit Landbou .
Ek begin al hoe meer dink daai Kunsmatige Intelligensie gaan ons eendag met ons broeke op ons knieë vang en vir ons sê wat om te doen. Die geslag jongmense is absoluut in vervoering daaroor. Die probleem is, hulle dink nie meer vir hulleself nie.
Waar jy deesdae lees oor landbou, lees jy die woord "Masterplan" raak. En dit lyk my die slim manne in die korporatiewe afdeling kan nie wag om dit te implementeer nie. Maar dit gaan nie so maklik wees nie, glo my. Ek het my ore so bietjie uitgeleen rondom die braaivleisvuur, en ek hoor daar is baie politiek agter daai plan. Elkeen wil sy vinger in die pap hê.
Elkeen wil sê hy het die plan gemaak. Elkeen wil 'n stukkie van die begroting hê.Op papier lyk alles mooi - nuwe markte, beter saad, meer verwerking, grond wat vrygestel word. Maar op die grond, hier waar ons boer, lyk dit anders.'n Plan sonder implementering is net nog 'n praatjie op 'n verhoog met 'n mikrofoon wat te hard is. Ons het al planne gehad. Baie planne. Wat ons nodig het is iemand wat die hek oopsluit, die water laat loop en die pad regmaak.Tot dan bly die masterplan maar net 'n mooi woord in 'n verslag.
Ek het al baie geskryf oor die feit dat boere op televisie hulle vrouens gaan soek, maar dit bly my verbaas dat daar so baie media dekking gegee word aan 'n program wat eintlik net emosie aanwakker en die aankondiging van die aanbieder is 'n groot gebeurtenis ... dit lyk darem of die program wat my liewe vrou Getruida nie mis nie vir die tydskrifte iets gee om oor te skryf. Daarvan gepraat- dis iets wat nie meer in ons huis is nie- die nuus is oud en die baie duur-
En hier is iets om oor te dink- Verbruikers blameer die winkels. Boere blameer insetkoste. Markte blameer gebroke voorsieningskettings. Almal wys met ’n vinger, en die argumente is luidrugtig. Tog sit daar onder die geraas ’n stiller waarheid wat die meeste mense verkies om nie te noukeurig te ondersoek nie. Goedkoop kos was nooit werklik goedkoop nie. Die middelman is die probleem.
Geluk aan al die wenners van al die jaarlikse kompetisies wat groot ptyse wen en 'n aansporing sis vir ander- Ek sien die manne en dames hang uit "netjies" en eet en drink lekker-
Groete uit die Vrystaat- en ons hoop die week is daar water- uit die hemel
Tot volgende week.
Mag julle almal ’n lekker week he ons gesels weer. OOM Kerneels.

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