12
e-Newsletter
17/02
20 JANUARY 2017
ECONOMIC AND AGRIBUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
South Africa's food inflation accelerates

Recent Consumer Price Index data shows that food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation accelerated to 11.7% year-on-year (y/y) in December 2016 from 11.6% in November 2016. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz economist, provides more information in the linked update»
South African fuel prices set to increase next month

Preliminary estimates from the Central Energy Fund suggest that petrol (95 ULP Inland) and diesel (0.05% Wholesale Inland) prices could increase by 44 cents per litre (c/l) and 38 c/l, respectively, on 01 February 2017. This could bring the retail price of petrol up to R13.77 per litre from the current level of R13.33 per litre. At the same time, wholesale diesel price could increase to R11.79 per litre from the current level of R11.41 per litre. Wandile Sihlobo reveals more in the linked update»

"Regional developments ring alarm bells for SA - we need to turn the spotlight on our preparedness to contain outbreaks," wrote Wandile Sihlobo, in his Business Day column published on 19th January 2017.

"The 2016-17 summer crop production season started on a slightly positive note for Southern Africa's agricultural sector after emerging from a devastating drought in the 2015-16 season.  For SA, there are already promising indications that the country could retain its status as a net exporter of maize. "  Read more»
Daily view on commodity markets

Daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends are available on the Agbiz website  www.agbiz.co.za
MEMBER NEWS
VKB and Sensako join forces
On the 1st of January 2017, VKB Agriculture and Sensako joined forces to take the supply of grain seed to the next level. This new joint venture will be known as Senseed and shares in Senseed will be held in equal parts by Sensako and VKB -  Media release»
INDUSTRY NEWS
Eskom suspends supply interruptions to 5 municipalities who have paid
Eskom has suspended planned supply interruptions to five municipalities and confirms that payments have been received and payment plans agreed upon with Nketoana, Nala, Tokologo, and Mantsopa mun icipalities in the Free State Province; and Walter Sisulu municipality in the Eastern Cape Province.
Eskom will be monitoring the strict adherence to the payment plans and the payment of current accounts of these municipalities and any defaults will result in the interruption of supply without further notice.  Read media release»

Attendees at the annual WEF meeting in Davos face turbulent times, on issues encompassing globally significant countries and regions in transition. These times would test any government and country, but South Africa faces its own domestic challenges that in the best case will inhibit its responsiveness, and in the worst case exacerbate the domestic political impact of these global currents. Where can South Africans look to for hope in this gathering gloom? Peter Draper considers this question within the context of South Africa's currently uneasy political landscape. Read more in the linked Tutwa letter»
SA Agritourism
Find linked information about   Agritourism farms»
UPCOMING EVENTS
1 February 2017 | Royal Elephant Hotel | Centurion, Pretoria
Standard Bank  and Agbiz invite you to a knowledge sharing event to be hosted on 1 February 2017 where we will unpack the Corporate Governance requirements pertaining to the recently published  King IV  report with  Attorney Michael Judin . Michael Judin is a senior member of the King Committee that drafted the King Codes on corporate governance and an excellent speaker on this critically important subject - More information or e-mail: jennifer@agbiz.co.za
Wheat Indaba
17 February 2017 | Pretoria
21 February 2017 | Elsenburg
More information

7th Undercover Farming Expo & Conference
7 - 8 March 2017 |CSIR Convention Centre | Pretoria
For more information contact Suzanne Oosthuizen on e-mail: CGA Citrus Summit
8 - 9 March 2017 | Port Elizabeth
More information

Water & Climate Congress
22 - 24 March 2017
 More information

Annual Road Transport Legislation Workshop
 23 May 2017 - Stellenbosch
 25 May 2017 - Durban 
 8 June 2017 - Pretoria 
 More information

Agri-finance for non-financial managers
 30 May - 3 June 2016
 Presented by Purdue University in Africa
 More information

International Conference on Global Food Security
 8 - 11 October 2017 | Cape Town  International Convention Centre, 
 Conference Theme: Food Security: Global challenges, local solutions
 More information
SOCIAL MEDIA
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In this newsletter
South Africa's food inflation accelerates
South African fuel prices set to increase next month
SA's maize crop may help feed SADC
Commentaries on agri-commodities
Member news
Industry news
Upcoming events