Livestock production increased by 1.0%, primarily due to increases in poultry (poultry meat and eggs) and milk production for 2018/19. The total gross value of agricultural production (total output during the production season valued at the average base prices received by producers) for 2018/19 is estimated at R277 078 million compared to R284 622 million the previous year – a decrease of 2.7%. This decline can be attributed to a decline in the value of field crops and animal products.
The gross value of animal products, horticulture and crops contributed 20.5% to the total gross value of agricultural production. Intermediate expenditures refer to the value of goods and services that were purchased for consumption as inputs during the production process. Prices of agricultural supplies, including machinery and equipment, materials for continuous improvement and intermediate goods and services, increased by 4.3%, compared with 3.9% in the previous period.
Consumer prices of all agricultural products increased by 4.4% for the year ended June 2019, compared to 4.5% in the previous period. About 14.0% of the total value of agricultural imports from South Africa during the period July 2018 to June 2019 was from Thailand and Brazil combined.
FIELD CROP HUSBANDRY
Production levels in the Southern African Development Community region (South Africa is usually the main source of white maize for these countries in times of shortage). Due to the volatile weather conditions in the country, there are significant differences in local production. Sorghum, like other grains, has two primary markets to serve, namely the human component and the animal feed component.
The main reason for the increase in planted area (2018 to 2019) can be attributed to expanded plantings, particularly in the Free State. Wheat production in the Western Cape suffered losses due to dry conditions and little rain. There are mainly two factors that affect local wheat prices - the value of the rand against the dollar and international prices.
This means that malt is almost entirely produced in South Africa, creating more jobs in the country. Global production in the 2019/20 marketing season is mainly driven by the larger crops in the EU (61.64 million tonnes) and Russia (20.0 million tonnes). Sunflower seeds can be planted from the beginning of November to the end of December in the eastern parts of the production areas and until mid-January in the western part.
This is probably the main reason for the popularity of the crop in the marginal production areas of South Africa. Sunflower seed production in Ukraine is expected to decrease by 0.50 million tons or 3.3% to 14.5 million tons. Since domestic production of soybean meal was limited in the past, almost all domestic consumption had to be imported.
The decrease in world production can be attributed mainly to smaller crops in Brazil, Paraguay and Canada. Mali, Argentina, Chad, Indonesia, Guinea and the United States also showed a decrease in expected peanut production during the mentioned period. Almost all of South Africa's canola crop is grown in the Western Cape, particularly the Southern Cape.
In such crop rotation systems, canola usually causes an increase in the yields of subsequent crops. The Dry Bean Producers' Organization is the national commodity organization that promotes the interests of the nation's dry bean producers.
HORTICULTURE
During the 2018/19 season (October to September), about 53.0% of the deciduous fruit produced was exported and about 77.7% of the gross value of the deciduous fruit came from export earnings. In the past five seasons, most of the deciduous fruit has been juiced, with the exception of apricots and peaches, which were mainly used for preserves. Dried fruit is mainly produced in the western and southern parts of the Western Cape Province and the areas below and above the Orange River in the Northern Cape Province.
Most of the raisins are grown in the Orange River area of the Northern Cape. There was a severe frost in some parts of the production area, and the extent of the damage cannot yet be determined. The Perishable Export Control Board (PPECB) is responsible for inspecting exported dry fruits to ensure quality standards are followed.
Wine is mainly produced in the Western Cape Province and along parts of the Orange River in the Northern Cape Province. About 62.8% of the wine grapes used for winemaking purposes were white and 37.2% were red. The cultivation of some types of subtropical fruits is only possible in certain specific areas of the country due to specific climatic requirements.
During 2018/19 (July-June), pineapple accounted for 46.2% of the total intake of subtropical fruit species for processing. CRI is a division of CGA and research funding is derived primarily from taxes on citrus exports. As shown in the graph below, approximately 46% of the volume of vegetables produced is traded in major fresh produce markets.
Prices of the most important vegetable varieties increased, except for onions, which showed a decrease of 6.7%. Sales to fresh produce markets amounted to approximately 52.5% and direct sales to approximately 21% of the total sales volume of tomatoes. About 57% of the total production during the 2018/19 season was sold in the main fresh produce markets, while 12% was exported.
About 1% of the total production of onions was taken for processing during the 2018/19 season. During the 2018/19 season, the volume of onions exported represented approximately 12% of the total onion harvest.
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
Some farms in the North West and Gauteng provinces are found to have some of the largest herds of cattle in the country. Most of the organizations are affiliated with the South African Society for Animal Studies and Improvement. Although sheep farms are found in all provinces, they are concentrated in the drier parts of the country.
The red meat industry is one of the most important growing industries in the South African agricultural sector. The poultry industry consists of the day-old chick supply, the broilers and the egg. Poultry meat consumption was 60.0% of the total meat consumed (beef, mutton, goat, pork and poultry) in 2018, compared to 60.4% the previous year.
The poultry industry has been through one of the most volatile periods of the past year due to a combination of factors, including high feed costs, drought and AI outbreaks. This amounted to 12.4% of total protein consumption (beef, mutton, goat, pork, poultry and eggs). However, in terms of the value of agricultural production, the dairy industry was the seventh largest agricultural sector in the country in 2018.
Wool is produced throughout South Africa; however, the main production areas are in the drier regions of the country. Mohair production in South Africa mainly takes place in the Eastern Cape province as well as the adjacent part of the Western Cape province. Most of the world's mohair production is imported to South Africa for further processing, after which it is exported together with locally (including Lesotho) produced mohair.
In addition, the strengthening of the SA currency also put pressure on the demand for mohair. Since the deregulation of the marketing of agricultural products in South Africa during the 1990s, ostrich farming has spread from the Little Karoo region to other parts of the country, as well as to several other countries. The aim of the SAOBC is to facilitate the sustainability and profitability of the ostrich industry in South Africa.
