The Xchange Platform Agricultural Market Viewpoint with Wandile Sihlobo

There is rising optimism in South Africa’s farming sector

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We continue to observe the rising optimism in South Africa’s farming and agribusiness sectors. For example, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), a sentiment indicator in the sector, increased by 10 points from Q3 to 58 in Q4. This is the second consecutive improvement, placing the ACI at its highest since Q2 2022.

This level of the ACI implies that South African agribusinesses remain generally optimistic about business conditions in the country. This optimism is a result of a combination of factors, including favourable weather conditions, with expectations that La Niña rains will be supportive of the 2024-25 agricultural season.

Moreover, the stable energy supply, improvements in port efficiency, and the better political climate following the formation of the Government of National Unity are some of the aspects the respondents cited as key factors underpinning their optimism.

Listen to the podcast for more insights.

Richard Humphries, Sam Mkokeli, and Amanda Murimba produce this podcast.
9 Dec English South Africa Investing · Food

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