losseslatest news & developments
South Africa is stepping up its fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), with more than 23 million vaccine doses imported as the government and the agricultural sector work to protect livestock, stabilise supply chains and safeguard export markets.
MINISTER

23 million FMD vaccine doses imported

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says government and industry cooperation has accelerated FMD vaccination, protected red-meat exports and expanded farmers’ role in vaccinating…

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
South Africa’s Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 45.8 in August, its lowest reading of 2026, as business activity and new sales orders weakened.
MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing slides deeper into contraction as South Africa’s PMI hits 2026 low

South Africa’s Absa PMI fell to 45.8 in August, its lowest reading of 2026, as business activity and new sales orders weakened. Economists said subdued domestic demand remained a…

  • Yogashen Pillay
3 min read
A prolonged winter rainfall deficit is threatening wheat yields in parts of the Swartland, while rising input costs leave dryland farmers with limited financial protection.
WHEAT

Dry spell puts Swartland wheat farmers under mounting financial pressure

Swartland grain producers warn that a prolonged winter rainfall deficit could cut crop potential by 25% to 30%, while rising input costs leave farmers with little financial…

  • Yogashen Pillay
4 min read
The South African Sugar Technologists' Association President, Dr Muhammad Kadwa, said that there has been a flood of deep-sea sugar imports, and this has displaced South African suga
SUGAR

Sugar industry counts the cost of imports

Cheap imports are squeezing local sales, pushing more sugar into loss-making export markets and costing the industry billions.

  • Yogashen Pillay
5 min read