The editor of Farmer's Weekly Janine Ryan says markets for citrus, macadamia nuts and avocados remain subdued as a result of the global economic downturn, while volumes are increasing due to more orchids coming into production.

The CEO of Mpumalanga Agriculture Robert Davel noted that the prices of all three crops that farmers were hoping for, and in some cases have bargained on, did not realise. One of the reasons for this is that consumers were under financial pressure and were buying fewer avocados and macadamias.

Another reason is the increase in production costs as well as the increase in the national minimum wage.

In the feature section this week, Farmer's Weekly speaks to Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, about the Vine Academy and Model Farm that was officially launched in May 2022, to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of local raisin farmers.

Ryan shares the primary objective of the Vine Academy is to upskill and empower the workforce of farmers and to equip emerging growers with the skills and knowledge they need to graduate to commercial status.

In the livestock section, Farmer's Weekly looks at the global rabbit industry and the untapped potential of the global market for South African producers.

Currently, more than 1.2 billion rabbits are slaughtered every year.

While Europe remains the biggest untapped market, China is the biggest producer of rabbits at the moment.

Ryan adds that there are separate markets for rabbit meat, fur as well as live rabbits.

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