https://www.algoafm.co.za/ Farmer's Weekly in partnership with Algoa FM brings you the latest South African farming news, livestock updates, crop insights and agribusiness trends. Trusted agriculture reporting from Farmers Weekly. News en Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:47:42 +0200 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:25:11 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Algoa FM no Weekly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p691/logo_9850_20260227_124748_1400.jpeg https://www.algoafm.co.za/ Farmer's Weekly in partnership with Algoa FM brings you the latest South African farming news, livestock updates, crop insights and agribusiness trends. Algoa FM episodic Algoa FM rss+691+9850@iono.fm false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1712628 https://iono.fm/e/1712628 News Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:24:00 +0200 0 0 Land Bank and NAMPO Cape 2026 0 0 Algoa FM full 5:14 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1710764 https://iono.fm/e/1710764 South Africa’s agriculture sector shed 16 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026 but remained 4,3% above the level seen a year earlier. Economists say the quarterly decline reflects the sector’s seasonal nature, but warn that weak profitability could put pressure on future employment. According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, released on 11 August, agricultural employment decreased by approximately 16 000 jobs, from 960 000 in the first quarter of the year (Q1) to 944 000 in Q2. Despite this, the sector recorded a year-on-year increase of 39 000 jobs, or 4,3%, for the period ended 30 June 2026.
And…Premier Group CEO Kobus Gertenbach has told canning fruit growers that the company will compensate them in cash for fruit it can no longer process during the coming season. This commitment follows Premier’s announcement that it will close its Fruit Products Western Cape facility in Tulbagh, with the company having already written off about R1 billion in assets. Addressing growers at the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association’s (CFPA) annual general meeting in Rawsonville on 11 August, Gertenbach also confirmed that Premier intended to exit the canned fruit category altogether. This meant the iconic Rhodes canned fruit brand would no longer be available once existing stock had been sold. ]]> News Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:46:00 +0200 0 0 Strong Partnerships Essential as Cape Agriculture Faces Economic and Operational Headwinds 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:35 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1710760 https://iono.fm/e/1710760 Indications are that the Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act (No.35 of 2024), Section 8, pertaining to (Powers of entry, search, inspection and seizure with regard to land), is set to empower government officials in South Africa. Once it comes into operation, this new law governing plant health gives relevant authorities more leverage to search any premises suspected of harbouring harmful plant pests or diseases. Officials will be able to obtain warrants to enter and search premises, seize materials or documents deemed related to regulated or harmful plant pests or diseases, and question individuals about such objects or information under the new act.
And… Growers, processors, and industry leaders have warned that Premier Group’s closure of its Fruit Products Western Cape processing facility in Tulbagh could threaten thousands of jobs, disrupt fruit supply chains, and undermine the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry. Premier’s Fruit Products Western Cape processing facility in Tulbagh exports approximately 90% of its canned fruit production, making the operation highly dependent on international demand, which the company says has declined sharply.
For more news and trusted information about agriculture in South Africa, visit farmersweekly.co.za ]]> News Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:43:00 +0200 0 0 Western Cape Agriculture Threatened by Weather, Regulatory Changes, and Factory Closure 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:17 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1702699 https://iono.fm/e/1702699 News Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:19:00 +0200 0 0 SA Agriculture: Flood Costs and Farming Growth 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:18 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1703360 https://iono.fm/e/1703360 The Free State’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak continues to expand, with the province recently confirming eight new cases and organised agriculture warning that vaccine shortages, delayed booster vaccinations, and under-reporting remain major obstacles to containing the disease. According to a media statement issued by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environmental Affairs on 17 July, the latest clinically confirmed cases detected are two in the Boshof state veterinary area and six in the Smithfield state veterinary area. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 687 across 19 local municipalities. The department said 181 outbreaks had been successfully resolved.
A Western Cape High Court ruling that money placed in a structured self-insurance account is not tax-deductible could have implications for farmers using similar products and diminish the appeal of a tool designed to help agribusinesses build reserves against climate, disease, and market-related losses. The Western Cape High Court recently ruled that R9,6 million placed by Meiring Citrus in a Santam structured self-insurance product is not tax-deductible. The court overturned an earlier Tax Court ruling in the citrus producer’s favour, confirmed an additional assessment raised by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and reinstated a 10% understatement penalty. ]]> News Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:37:00 +0200 0 0 SA Ag News: Nampo Cape, FMD Outbreak, and SARS Ruling 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:48 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1694632 https://iono.fm/e/1694632 News Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:41:00 +0200 0 0 SA Farmers Face Soaring Tariffs and Weak Grid Despite End of Load-Shedding 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:13 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1694633 https://iono.fm/e/1694633 News Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:51:00 +0200 0 0 New national FMD control measures, global export focus for beef, and the Spar Kirkwood Wildsfees 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:11 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1696165 https://iono.fm/e/1696165 News Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:48:00 +0200 0 0 Grain SA condemns unchanged wheat tariffs 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:19 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1688127 https://iono.fm/e/1688127 News Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:06:00 +0200 0 0 Carbon Partnership Eases Farmer Burden 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:10 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1688087 https://iono.fm/e/1688087 News Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:50:00 +0200 0 0 Navigating SA's Shifting Agri Market: From Machinery Slowdowns to New Youth and Carbon Opportunities 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:15 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1688108 https://iono.fm/e/1688108 News Thu, 21 May 2026 10:10:00 +0200 0 0 SA Agriculture Resilience Tested: Western Cape Storm Damage, NAMPO Success, and FMD Relief 0 0 Algoa FM full 1:57 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1674049 https://iono.fm/e/1674049 News Fri, 08 May 2026 16:30:00 +0200 0 0 Nampo 2026 Ready to Launch Amid New FMD Vaccine Frameworks and Northern Cape Infrastructure Crisis 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:12 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1674043 https://iono.fm/e/1674043 News Fri, 08 May 2026 16:27:00 +0200 0 0 Policy Gaps and Legal Battles: Agriculture Faces Mounting Pressure Ahead of Namp 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:06 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1664714 https://iono.fm/e/1664714
Policy Risks: @Agbiz warns that SANRAL’s draft policy on Rest and Service Facilities could increase transport costs and overregulate land use, potentially eroding rural competitiveness.

Climate Compensation: Professor Guy Midgley suggests African farmers could leverage international funding for capital expenditure as compensation for climate change impacts, coinciding with a new project to install 100,000 weather stations across the continent.

New Record: Congratulations to Piet Lotz, who set a new South African and Southern Hemisphere record with a massive 1,221kg giant pumpkin at the Heidelberg festival!

For the full analysis and trusted industry news, visit farmersweekly.co.za. ]]> News Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:09:00 +0200 0 0 SA Agri-Insights: Policy Shifts, Climate Finance, and a Heavyweight Record 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:01 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1664712 https://iono.fm/e/1664712
On the conservation front, experts at the ‘Return on Ecology’ day remind us that restoring our land doesn't have to be complex. The secret? Start by observing the indigenous life already thriving on your soil.

Stay ahead of the curve. Visit farmersweekly.co.za for trusted agri news. ]]> News Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0200 0 0 SA Agricultural Update: Market Shifts & Economic Outlook 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:15 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1660438 https://iono.fm/e/1660438 News Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:54:00 +0200 0 0 Border Bottlenecks and Biosecurity: A Turning Point for Local Producers 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:06 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1660435 https://iono.fm/e/1660435 News Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:47:00 +0200 0 0 South African Agriculture: Global Wins and Local Growth: Part Two 0 0 Algoa FM full 1:57 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1658996 https://iono.fm/e/1658996 News Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:06:00 +0200 0 0 South African Agriculture: Global Wins and Local Growth 0 0 Algoa FM full 1:57 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1658449 https://iono.fm/e/1658449
However, growth comes with its own set of challenges. We take a deep dive into the 2026 Avocado Season, where production is expected to soar to 22 million cartons. While the "on-year" yield is a win for farmers, we discuss the looming "perfect storm" of increased competition from Peru and the ongoing logistical bottlenecks at the Port of Cape Town.

Finally, we look at the skies. With the 2025/26 La Niña phase expected to exit by April, we explore what the shift to neutral atmospheric conditions means for rainfall stability and long-term crop planning. ]]> News Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:35:00 +0200 0 0 Harvest & Horizon: South Africa’s GDP Drivers 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:14 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1652662 https://iono.fm/e/1652662 News Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:50:00 +0200 0 0 Global Conflict Fears Spark Concerns Over SA Farming Margins and Fuel Cos 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:12 Farmer's Weekly Report https://iono.fm/e/1650691 https://iono.fm/e/1650691 News Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0200 0 0 SA Fruit Industry Struggles Under Strong Rand and Trade Barriers 0 0 Algoa FM full 2:06 Farmer's Weekly Report