SA Fruit Export Shifts, Free State FMD Case, and Record Grain Yields
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FarmersWeekly.co.za reports that South Africa’s fruit export industry is entering a new phase in which producing more fruit is no longer enough to secure stronger returns, with market access, logistics, and the timing of exports becoming increasingly important for profitability. Absa’s AgriTrends 2026 Spring Edition report, launched earlier this month at Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, stated that production growth remains a source of long-term opportunity, but increasing volumes does not necessarily translate into better producer returns. Profitability depends on whether additional production can be placed in markets at commercially sustainable prices. Speaking at the launch, Zama Sangweni, agricultural economist at Absa AgriBusiness, said this represents a shift in the high-value export industry.
The Free State has reported one new clinically confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in the Fauresmith state veterinary area, bringing its stated provincial total to 799 cases, as reported by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs on 25 September 2026. Of these, 155 remain active and under quarantine, while 644 have been classified as resolved. Cases have been confirmed in 19 local municipalities. According to the numbers released The Kroonstad veterinary area has recorded the highest number in the department’s breakdown, with 126 cases, followed by Heilbron with 97, Frankfort with 81 and Bethlehem with 75.
And…South Africa’s grain producers set 11 new Grow for Gold competition records in 2026, with particularly strong performances from producers farming under dryland conditions in the North West, and exceptionally high yields under irrigation. South Africa’s grain producers raised the yield benchmark once again at the 2026 Grain SA Grow for Gold National Yield Competition, with 11 new competition records set across maize, soya beans, wheat, and sunflower. Janna du Rand of Mareetsane in North West produced 16,910t/ha of maize, setting a new Grow for Gold record in the North West Region. Du Rand also took second and third places in the category, with yields of 15,631t/ha and 14,890t/ha respectively.
For more news and trusted information about agriculture in South Africa, visit farmersweekly.co.za
The Free State has reported one new clinically confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in the Fauresmith state veterinary area, bringing its stated provincial total to 799 cases, as reported by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs on 25 September 2026. Of these, 155 remain active and under quarantine, while 644 have been classified as resolved. Cases have been confirmed in 19 local municipalities. According to the numbers released The Kroonstad veterinary area has recorded the highest number in the department’s breakdown, with 126 cases, followed by Heilbron with 97, Frankfort with 81 and Bethlehem with 75.
And…South Africa’s grain producers set 11 new Grow for Gold competition records in 2026, with particularly strong performances from producers farming under dryland conditions in the North West, and exceptionally high yields under irrigation. South Africa’s grain producers raised the yield benchmark once again at the 2026 Grain SA Grow for Gold National Yield Competition, with 11 new competition records set across maize, soya beans, wheat, and sunflower. Janna du Rand of Mareetsane in North West produced 16,910t/ha of maize, setting a new Grow for Gold record in the North West Region. Du Rand also took second and third places in the category, with yields of 15,631t/ha and 14,890t/ha respectively.
For more news and trusted information about agriculture in South Africa, visit farmersweekly.co.za
