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The latest edition, which is a double edition, marks the cover dates for 18 and 25 December.

Erasmus says readers can look forward to reading about the increase in yellow maize prices. This, even though South Africa experienced a good year for maize as the country recorded its second-largest harvest in history. She explains that despite this, feed prices remain high as yellow maize is a key ingredient in animal feed. With that being said, questions are mounting as to why prices are increasing following a big harvest. 

However, according to a senior agricultural economist at FNB, Paul Makube, the high prices are due to strong export demand despite the record harvest that the country experienced. “So, between September and November, we saw that yellow maize prices were about 25% higher year-on-year. According to Makube, this was a demand that surged by more than 350% for the current marketing season,” Erasmus explains.

With this edition being the last edition for the year, Farmer’s Weekly also reflects on the biggest stories of 2020. Erasmus adds that readers can look forward to a timeline of news that made headlines in the agricultural sector on a monthly basis with the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown related news being dominant. When taking a look at what occurred during the pandemic, Erasmus says the ban on liquor sales and tobacco products had massive repercussions for farmers in these industries.

Also, 2020 saw investigations into food prices during South Africa’s hard lockdown by the Competition Commission as well as several animal diseases and pests outbreaks.

Furthermore, as mentioned, South Africa experienced a record harvest this year with demands for citrus fruits souring. Erasmus explains that this was as a result of people choosing healthy foods that could help boost their immune system during the outbreak of the virus.

This edition will be on shelves from today for the next two weeks.

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