Further strong GDP growth for agriculture in the 4th quarter of 2020
09 March 2021 -The latest Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) GDP update shows further strong growth in agriculture of 5.9% (annualised seasonally adjusted quarterly) in the fourth quarter of 2020, bringing the overall 2020 performance to 13.1%.
The strong fourth quarter agriculture outcome was underpinned by increased production of animal products which account for over 50% of the country’s agriculture gross producer value. The animal products defied the seasonal demand pressures during winter as well as the COVID-19 disruptions and came out stronger as prices were resilient across most categories.
Favourable production conditions, strong export demand, and the favourable rand exchange rate helped boost overall agriculture performance in 2020 despite the Covid-19 challenges as the sector was declared an essential service. For example, export revenues increased 3% (year-on-year) to a three-year record of US$10.2 billion with maize exports for the second half of 2020 increasing by over 200% relative to the 2019 levels. The citrus industry also recorded a fantastic year with better prices and strong volumes as demand spiked in major export destinations.
The 2020/21 La Nina weather further favoured agriculture with good rains across the country. We expect another good year for the agriculture sector. The recent harvest estimates of the country’s biggest staple, maize, point to a potential crop north of 16 million for 2021. Horticulture and livestock conditions are conducive to further stellar growth in agriculture.
By Sam Mashele, FNB Corporate Affairs
Agriculture plays an important role in supporting economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and maintaining efficient supply chains. From transporting farming equipment and tools to moving harvested produce and essential supplies, reliable transportation helps businesses and individuals manage their daily operations more effectively. For smaller agricultural suppliers, traders, and local businesses, choosing cheap van hire liverpool merseyside can be a practical solution for moving goods without the expense of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle. Affordable van rental options also provide flexibility for deliveries, equipment transportation, and other logistical needs, helping businesses keep their operations organised and cost-effective.
Sports viewing preferences differ from one person to another, so updated event listings can be especially useful. The phrase fantasy code may be used by viewers looking for broadcast details or online sports information. Checking current schedules and regional availability helps people understand which events they can access.
I find it encouraging that South Africa’s agricultural sector demonstrated resilience in 2020 despite the challenges of COVID-19 and seasonal pressures. The growth in animal products, maize exports, and citrus production highlights the importance of favourable weather, strong international demand, and effective agricultural practices. Like a Wave Rider navigating changing tides, I believe the agricultural industry must adapt to challenges while taking advantage of new opportunities.
It’s encouraging to see agriculture making such a strong contribution to economic growth. The sector plays such an important role in food supply and supporting local communities, so positive results like these are good to hear about. It would be interesting to see how the industry continues to develop over time. When I have some downtime after reading business news, I sometimes play free games on minigame. You can click and play instantly without downloading anything.
A clear explanation of 10.0.0.1 can make a technical subject much easier to approach. Once users understand how the router administration interface works, they can review network settings more carefully and avoid changing options simply because they are unfamiliar with them.