This site requires JavaScript to be enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings, or upgrade to a modern browser.

Dispel false narratives about the South African farming sector

Loading player...

We must dispel the false narrative that South Africa’s farming sector is under siege. This sector has flourished since the dawn of democracy in 1994. We have seen its value more than double, and exports are expanding.

We are now the only African country in the top 40 global agricultural exporters. If there were indeed an attack on the farming sector, we wouldn’t be seeing such success. Another danger we must not underestimate is the negative image the false narratives create. We are an export-oriented farming sector, and therefore, we must protect the image of this sector in the world market.

Listen to the podcast for more information.

Richard Humphries and Sam Mkokeli produce this podcast.

8 Nov 2025 English South Africa Investing · Food

Other recent episodes

South Africa sees strong agricultural machinery sales in April, but the path ahead is uncertain

Agricultural machinery sales remain robust in South Africa, supported by orders some farmers likely placed before the current global challenges. The farmers’ finances over the past few months were boosted by the ample harvest in the 2024-25 season, on the back of beneficial La Niña rains. Therefore, in our interpretation…

11 May 7 min

Two points about the uncertain weather outlook and its impact on South Africa’s agriculture over the coming months

Firstly, there’s a growing likelihood that we’re entering the onset of an El Niño event. This will likely begin around October 2027, which is the start of the 2026-27 summer season. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) highlighted this in their report today, 1 May 2026. Depending on the severity…

3 May 7 min

Canola production in South Africa may reach a fresh high in 2026-27

Many agricultural crops and value chains have shown dramatic progress in recent years. They should serve as an inspiration for further growth of this sector. I often write about South Africa's soybean success story, whose production increased from 67,700 tonnes in the 1993-94 production season to an expected record harvest…

28 Apr 5 min

Will the current rains distort grain quality in South Africa?

We are late in the 2025-26 summer grains and oilseed season. Farmers in some regions have already started harvesting the crop. South Africa is set to have its largest grain harvest on record, about 20.8 million tonnes. But will the recent rains not cause quality issues? Or will they help…

27 Apr 8 min

Are cooling agricultural equipment sales in South Africa a temporary blip?

Last week, the South African Agricultural Machinery Association released its monthly agricultural machinery sales report for March 2026. To some observers of the South African agricultural sector, the report signalled a change from the long period of strong tractor and combine harvesters sales to a much slower pace. Tractor sales…

12 Apr 7 min

All episodes