Boom Or Bust For Expanding Orchards?
Farmer's Weekly|February 19, 2021
With prices remaining high, the citrus, avocado and macadamia industries have boomed in recent years and producers have continued expanding. This has left many wondering whether the situation is too good to be true and whether the bubble might be due to burst. Lindi Botha spoke to a number of industry experts.
Lindi Botha
Boom Or Bust For Expanding Orchards?

FAST FACTS

Healthy eating trends are the key driver behind a relentless increase in demand for avocados, macadamias and citrus.

A shortage of water looks set to be a major constraint for producers of these crops.

Other challenges include bottlenecks at the country’s ports and overreliance on certain markets.

If there is one central message to consider on the back of the boom in the avocado, macadamia and citrus industries (see tables 1, 2 and 3), it’s that health foods are moving up on global shopping lists. Gross industry returns for all three industries have grown at a faster rate than production. Moreover, fuelled by the trend of healthy eating, ‘superfood’ labels and, where nuts are concerned, a move to replace animal protein with plantbased alternatives, consumption is likely only to increase.

As demand outstrips supply for all three crops, the bigger question remains: can South African farmers and related support industries keep up?

SO FAR, SO GOOD

Growers have certainly played their part, with avocado orchards currently totalling 14 700ha, citrus 96 000ha and macadamias nearly 55 000ha (see Table 4).

Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, underlines the role that the greater industry plays in ensuring farmers get a return on their investment.

“Investment by growers in research and technical development has meant that the industry has had all the right ingredients to flourish.

Denne historien er fra February 19, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra February 19, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FARMER'S WEEKLYSe alt
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
Farmer's Weekly

Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III

The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Farmer's Weekly

Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania

Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Farmer's Weekly

Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming

Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Pollination innovation
Farmer's Weekly

Pollination innovation

Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 20, 2024
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Farmer's Weekly

The valuable addition that makes this farm tick

Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.

time-read
6 mins  |
September 20, 2024
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
Farmer's Weekly

The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems

A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
Farmer's Weekly

Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers

DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 20, 2024
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
Farmer's Weekly

New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant

A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 20, 2024
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
Farmer's Weekly

Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability

A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture

time-read
3 mins  |
September 20, 2024
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Farmer's Weekly

What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?

Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.

time-read
1 min  |
September 20, 2024