Intentar ORO - Gratis

A disappointing outlook is loomimg for GDP growth

Farmer's Weekly

|

October24 -31, 2025

Despite a marked improvement for the agriculture sector in the first two quarters of 2025, Dr Koos Coetzee believes farmers are still facing challenging times ahead.

- Dr Koos Coetzee

A disappointing outlook is loomimg for GDP growth

The South African economy is struggling with structural problems and this will impact negatively on the agriculture sector. South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) disappointed again in the second quarter of 2025 (see table). According to Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) recently released GDP growth figures for the second quarter of 2025, the economy grew by 0,8% compared to the first quarter on an annualised basis.

imageWEAK ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CONTINUE INTO 2026

Using the more sensible year-on-year comparison, the economy only grew by 0,7% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and by 0,7% in the first half of 2025 in comparison to the first half of 2024.

GDP growth of below 1% per year was achieved in 2023 and 2024. Weak GDP growth of about 1% is expected for 2025.

Growth slowed down in all the sectors, with the exception of agriculture, the only sector that achieved significant growth in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. It grew by 9,8% compared to the first half of 2024.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Pastry delights and cupcakes

The versatility of pastry in baking and cooking is best flaunted by two vastly different recipes appealing to the sweet and savoury tooth, while a novel way to bake those Christmas-themed cupcakes will also go down well.

time to read

4 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Specialised spider-hunting wasps

Wasps are apex predators of the insect world and have developed many survival strategies. One group of wasps focuses on hunting spiders to provide a source of food for their larval offspring

time to read

2 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

From bulls to boardrooms: farming part-time as a professional

Maintaining a farm requires time, resources, and commitment. Farming part-time while being fully employed elsewhere can seem daunting and risky. Although it certainly presents unique challenges, it is feasible for some. Koot Klopper and Herman van Heerden spoke to Henning Naudé about how excellent time management and the delegation of resources, as part-time farmers, successfully keep their farms productive.

time to read

5 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Holy Shiitake: mastering the science of gourmet fungi

Mushroom production is inherently the practice of expanding mycelium. But since wanted and unwanted fungi flourish under the same circumstances, a mushroom farmer's biggest challenge is ensuring the right fungi prevails. Lindi Botha reports on Rory Brooks' learning curve.

time to read

9 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

No more 'secret' price hikes?

'Secret' electricity price hikes in South Africa have been curbed in a game-changing court ruling, explains Felix Dube, lecturer in the Department of Law at the University of Venda.

time to read

4 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

The cutworm scourge, and how to control it

The dominant cutworm, Agrotis segetum, is causing renewed, costly damage to South African maize, soya bean, and sunflower.

time to read

5 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Legislative gap requires a rethink on biosecurity controls

Since the dawn of democracy, the agriculture sector has cemented its place as one of the essential and trusted pillars for economic growth, job creation, and foreign earnings in South Africa.

time to read

2 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

From kitchen experiments to a thriving meat empire

What started as an after-hours kitchen project in the Truter household has grown into the fully fledged meat empire Deli-Co. Brothers Pieter and Hendri Truter told Glenneis Kriel how they turned a local favourite into a multigenerational family business.

time to read

7 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Brushing up on your 'cow speak'

Experienced stockman and cattle judge Willie de Jager spoke to Sabrina Dean about some of the basics of reading cattle behaviour and how best to handle these animals.

time to read

8 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Corporate day job fuels farming dream

Marius Smit lives in the middle of Gauteng in Centurion and spends his workdays in the fast-paced high-stress corporate sector as a group forensic head for Discovery.

time to read

5 mins

December 5-12, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size