Over the past decade, succulents have soared in popularity, thanks to the growing demand for alternative medicines, as well as gardeners seeking out droughttolerant, easy-to-grow plants.
The fragmented nature of South Africa’s succulent industry makes it difficult to quantify the value of local production, but in the US, nursery sales grew 64% between 2012 and 2017, surpassing the edible and grow-your-own-food categories, according to the 2017 State of the Industry Report.
“An inability to keep up with the rising demand has fuelled illegal harvesting, creating a black market worth billions of dollars,” says Anthony Rausch, chairperson of the Johannesburg Succulent Society, an affiliate of the Succulent Society of South Africa. “This, together with habitat loss and overgrazing in sensitive areas, is threatening the existence of almost a third of these plants.”
THIEVES CONVICTED
In California, there have been numerous reports of smugglers being caught with thousands of dollars’ worth of succulents, in particular the rare Dudleya farinosa.
In South Africa, a Spanish husband and wife team were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment earlier this year, suspended for five years, and a fine of R2 million after being caught with 2 248 succulents they had collected in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Namibia. Amongst the plants they had stolen were an endangered Aloidendron pillansii (giant quiver tree), as well as several other species listed in various threat categories on the Red List of South African Plants. The pair were also linked to a website hosted in Spain that offers a wide range of succulent plants for sale.
In May this year, four Chinese nationals, Yu Shi, Zeng Zang, Li Wei and Junbo Liu, were arrested after being caught near Kamieskroon in the Northern Cape with succulents worth an estimated R1,5 million.
Denne historien er fra Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019-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.
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Denne historien er fra Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
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Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
