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Farmer’s Weekly’s latest edition, which will be on shelves from Friday 28 January, takes a look at pork production in South Africa. Ryan explains that while production is increasing in South Africa on a monthly basis, the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) says production is under threat because of the cost-price squeeze.

The pork industry grew at around 3,5% last year, however, farmers are struggling financially due to high production costs, with feed being the highest. Production cost accounted for around 70% of the total cost.

Also, the magazine takes a look at the controversial Vrede Dairy project in the Free State that has been making news headlines for many years. This dairy project has been linked to the infamous Gupta brothers and ex-ANC secretary, Ace Magashule, who were all implicated in dodgy deals relating to the project. 

Nonetheless, the project has now been handed over to 65 beneficiaries for which it was initially intended under the Vrede Integrated Farming Trust. The trust owns a 51% stake in the project. Government is also planning to invest a further R20 million in the project over the next three years.

Another story takes a look at fruit theft and the impact that this crime has on farmers. Ryan says while this problem has existed for very long in South Africa, fruit theft has increased greatly over the past five to six years. The amount of money lost per season due to fruit theft is estimated to be between R40 000 and R600 000.

There have also been concerns raised about the crimes becoming increasingly violent. Fruit theft hotspots are the West Coast, Cape Winelands, and the Overberg District Municipality.

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