Insights from FNB Agriculture Pre-Harvest briefing by Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing at FNB Agriculture: Some years ago, renowned investor and commodities guru, Jim Rogers told Americans to learn how to drive a tractor if they want to become rich. He predicted that stock brokers were going to be driving taxis. The smart ones will learn to drive tractors so they can work for the smart farmers. The farmers are going to be driving Lamborghinis. However, a large part of … [Read more...] about The farmers are going to be driving Lamborghinis
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Eskom tariff increase will negatively impact Agriculture
Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing for FNB Agribusiness says: The Eskom tariff increases announced for the next three years will impact the agricultural economy negatively by increasing the cost of production - pushing up electricity as one of the highest input costs for irrigation farmers. From a primary agriculture perspective, irrigation, fruit and vegetable farmers will particularly be impacted as they rely heavily on electricity for production. Farmers, just like consumers on … [Read more...] about Eskom tariff increase will negatively impact Agriculture
Farmers heavily affected by Fuel Price Increase
The expected increase in the price of petrol at 74 cents a litre and diesel around 91 cents a litre, will have a severe impact on the cash flow of farmers. Fuel and diesel are commonly used for tillage, harvesting, machinery and transportation, making them a critical component for both small-scale and commercial farmers, as well as the entire agricultural value chain. From a farm producer level, we are currently experiencing a late season whereby farmers are still using a lot of diesel. … [Read more...] about Farmers heavily affected by Fuel Price Increase
Four tech trends impacting agriculture
Technology continues to play a prominent role in the development of agriculture globally while helping the industry to break into new frontiers. Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing for FNB Agriculture, says agricultural technology innovation is evolving at an unprecedented pace, leaving farmers with no choice but to adapt and reinvent themselves in order to compete, grow and sustain their businesses. “The agricultural industry globally is successfully overcoming some of its … [Read more...] about Four tech trends impacting agriculture
Fuel price hike dampens impact of rate cut
Fuel prices are due to increase and motorists will pay 72 cents more for 95 octane and 93 octane will go up by 69 cents. This follows the fuel price increase announced by the Energy Department. Jesse Weinberg, Head of the SME customer segment at FNB Business comments on the impact on SMEs: Weinberg says the fuel price increase will dampen the impact of the recent interest rate reprieve for small and medium enterprises. He says the substantial increase poses a cashflow test for SMEs as such … [Read more...] about Fuel price hike dampens impact of rate cut
Day Zero: What About the Eastern and Northern Cape?
South Africa is in the grips of a water shortage that is reaching a critical stage, though much is said about the looming Day Zero in the Western Cape, the depleting water levels remain a concern in other parts of the country. Day Zero in the Western Cape is estimated to take effect this May, this will largely depend on demand versus usage and supply through the alternative sources like boreholes, and any considerations of desalination. However, there should also be concern about the critical … [Read more...] about Day Zero: What About the Eastern and Northern Cape?
Steep Fuel Price Increase Expected
The volatile, but weaker exchange rate, coupled with a higher crude oil price, could mean a steep rise in fuel prices this October; this is on the back of the recent September increase. A fair estimate gauges an average increase of approximately 40 cents/litre for petrol and diesel. This unwelcome set of news will impact grain producers as they are on the eve of a new planting season. According to the mind-month figures from the Central Energy Fund, the actual increase on the product price … [Read more...] about Steep Fuel Price Increase Expected
Major Blow as neighbouring countries ban South African chicken imports
The ban of South African chicken by neighbouring countries will have a negative impact as Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana account for a substantial number of our broiler exports. The ban is a major blow to the local industry which has been grappling a downturn over the last two years. Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing for Agriculture at FNB Business said; "We can only hope that the current ban from neighbouring countries is temporary because if it lasts longer than a few more … [Read more...] about Major Blow as neighbouring countries ban South African chicken imports
Lessons learnt from the recent droughts
Apart from the Western Cape, the gripping drought that hung over the country has finally weathered away, - the agricultural sector has more than recovered to a projected record harvest. Good rainfall over most of the summer grain producing areas, a lot of rested lands, improved cultivars and the use of technology resulted in record crops for both maize and soya beans. The maize crop increased from roughly 7.7 million tonnes to a projected 14.3 million tonnes. The intensive livestock … [Read more...] about Lessons learnt from the recent droughts
Input costs in the agricultural sector likely to ease in 2017
The drought that the country is experiencing has caused a significant drop in planted areas. Finally some relief with the much awaited rains, farmers can at long last commence with planting. This situation has turned around with the latest Crop Estimates Committee's (CEC) planting intentions report showed a rebound in the expected area for most of the crops. Approximately 3.753 million hectares will come under crop production during the 2016/17 season. Dawie Maree, Head of Information and … [Read more...] about Input costs in the agricultural sector likely to ease in 2017
Lower fuel prices will offer relief to struggling farmers
A further decrease in the price of fuel and diesel by 65c on average would go a long way to provide relief to farmers that are still struggling financially due to the impact of the drought. Dawie Maree, Head of Information and Marketing at FNB Business, Agriculture, says farmers in South Africa have endured the most severe test due to the drought and it will take a couple of years before they fully recover. Therefore, any form of relief is welcome. Although lower prices will have a … [Read more...] about Lower fuel prices will offer relief to struggling farmers
