WHAT'S UP?

Theft burdens agricultural growth

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The recently released 2024/25 Stats SA Governance, Public Safety, and Justice Survey (GPSJS) once again echoed the disastrous effect of livestock theft on the livestock sector. According to Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo, an increasing and worrying trend is the theft of other agricultural products, such as crops and fruit. The report states that in 2024/25, more than 61 352 goats, 37 947 cattle, 36 486 poultry and 27 852 sheep were stolen. Goats top the list as most stolen livestock at 39,8%, with cattle in second place at 24,6%.

Also significant, says Sihlobo, is the location of the theft. The survey highlights that almost half of theft incidents occurred in a kraal or outside the house, while 40,7% of the incidents took place in fields or grazing land. "If we want to continue having a prosperous agricultural sector," he points out, "we must tighten our control measures. This could be through enhanced collaboration between the police and organised agriculture groups." - Izak Hofmeyr, AgriOrbit

BFAP expects a bumpy decade

During the launch of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy's (BFAP) annual baseline report, BFAP director Dr Tracy Davis said despite inherent volatility agriculture has still outperformed the rest of the economy. However, the sector has come under increasing pressure in recent years. The BFAP team is expecting revenue growth to slow down between 2025 and 2035. "Field crops are the primary driver, but animal products will also become stagnant in the short term," she said.

Dr Davis highlighted the fact that consumers are still financially strained. "It is concerning that the higher income group is shrinking, while the lower income group is growing. This is not at all what one would like to see if the aim is economic growth."