SAPA Backs Decision Against Countrywide Brazilian Poultry Ban
Loading player...
Farmersweekly.co.za reports that the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is supporting the Department of Agriculture’s decision against imposing a countrywide restriction on poultry imports from Brazil following a Newcastle disease (NCD) outbreak in the state of Santa Catarina. Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of SAPA’s Broiler Organisation, said the association considered the threat low, provided that the affected state was prevented from exporting to South Africa, and Brazil complied with the agreed veterinary certification requirements. According to a statement from the Department of Agriculture (DoA) on 28 October, Brazil notified South Africa of the outbreak on 20 October. South Africa imports approximately 18 000t of poultry meat from Brazil each month, according to Breitenbach. He could not provide a figure for the volume originating in Santa Catarina.
Tongaat Hulett’s already protracted business rescue process has been dealt another blow as the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner has undertaken to personally oversee an investigation into alleged organised crime involving the company’s sale. The latest developments follow a closed-door meeting convened in Durban on 23 October by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. According to a letter from South African Canegrowers Association Chairperson Higgins Mdluli to sugar cane growers, the meeting was called after the Zulu Royal House allegedly lodged formal allegations with the South African Police Service (SAPS) about how the Vision Sugar South Africa transaction had been represented and concluded.
And…South Africa’s cherry industry had a challenging start to the 2026/27 season, with unusually early harvests, variable fruit quality, and delayed access to the Chinese market threatening export volumes. Despite strong international demand, exports could decline by as much as 30% compared with the previous season. Karien Bezuidenhout, manager of Hortgro’s CherriesZA, said that the industry had enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 season, with production increasing by 111% compared with 2024/25. However, weather conditions had created a less favourable outlook for the current season. According to Bezuidenhout, both the northern production regions and the Western Cape started harvesting earlier than usual. Heatwaves followed by cold fronts also negatively affected fruit set, fruit quality had not been as good as anticipated, and shelf life could be shorter than usual.
Tongaat Hulett’s already protracted business rescue process has been dealt another blow as the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner has undertaken to personally oversee an investigation into alleged organised crime involving the company’s sale. The latest developments follow a closed-door meeting convened in Durban on 23 October by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. According to a letter from South African Canegrowers Association Chairperson Higgins Mdluli to sugar cane growers, the meeting was called after the Zulu Royal House allegedly lodged formal allegations with the South African Police Service (SAPS) about how the Vision Sugar South Africa transaction had been represented and concluded.
And…South Africa’s cherry industry had a challenging start to the 2026/27 season, with unusually early harvests, variable fruit quality, and delayed access to the Chinese market threatening export volumes. Despite strong international demand, exports could decline by as much as 30% compared with the previous season. Karien Bezuidenhout, manager of Hortgro’s CherriesZA, said that the industry had enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 season, with production increasing by 111% compared with 2024/25. However, weather conditions had created a less favourable outlook for the current season. According to Bezuidenhout, both the northern production regions and the Western Cape started harvesting earlier than usual. Heatwaves followed by cold fronts also negatively affected fruit set, fruit quality had not been as good as anticipated, and shelf life could be shorter than usual.
