Agri Overview
Agriculture
THE GROWING ROLE OF FISH IN FEEDING THE
WORLD
PEOPLE HAVE NEVER CONSUMED SO MUCH FISH OR DEPENDED SO
GREATLY ON THE SECTOR FOR THEIR WELL-BEING AS THEY DO TODAY.
Fish is one of the most-traded food commodities worldwide, worth
almost US$130 billion in 2012 – a figure that will probably continue to
increase. World per capita apparent fish consumption increased from
an average of 9.9 kg in the 1960s to 18.9 kg in 2010, with preliminary
estimates for 2012 pointing towards further growth to 19.2 kg. Of the
130.1 million tons available for human consumption in 2010, fish supply
was lowest in Africa, while Asia accounted for two-thirds of the total,
with 89.8 million tons (21.6 kg per capita), of which 45.4 million tons
outside China (16.1 kg per capita). China is, by far, the largest exporter
of fish and fishery products. However, since 2011, it has become the
world’s third-largest importing country, after the United States of
America and Japan. The European Union is the largest market for
imported fish and fishery products, and its dependence on imports is
growing.
On average, the daily dietary contribution of fish is rather low in terms
of calories, at about 33 calories per capita, while fish and fishery
products represent a valuable source of animal protein, as a portion of
150 g of fish provides about 50–60 percent of the daily protein
requirements for an adult.
About 25 million tons of seaweeds and other algae are harvested
annually for use as food, in cosmetics and fertilizers, and are processed
to extract thickening agents or used as an additive to animal feed.
With a few exceptions for selected species, fish is usually low in
saturated fats, carbohydrates and cholesterol. It provides not only
high-value protein, but also a wide range of essential micronutrients,
including various vitamins (D, A and B), minerals (including calcium,
iodine, zinc, iron and selenium) and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty
acids.
Issue No. 27
June 2014
ECONOMIC
The rand recovered some
ground during the last week of
June, supported by the release
of a smaller than expected
current account deficit data for
the first quarter, firmer gold
price and better risk appetite.
The unit ended at R10,71, R14,54
and 18,23 against the US dollar,
the euro and the British pound
respectively, up from R10,76,
R14,55 and R18,24 at the
previous week’s close.
The inflation outlook remains
poor in the short term. The
Reserve Bank has made it clear
that SA is in a rate-hiking cycle,
but the extent and speed will
be data dependent. Poor first
quarter
GDP
data
does
decrease the probability of a
rate hike in the short term.
However, with inflation rising
and the rand still vulnerable, a
mild tightening towards year
end is expected.
SOUTH AFRICAN WINE:
HARVEST REPORT 2014
Despite a challenging season
characterised by high, and in
some instances untimely rainfall,
the South African wine industry
expects an average sized,
good quality wine grape
harvest,
with
exceptional
harvests in
especially the
coastal regions.
The total harvest will be
approximately
2.6%
smaller
than the record harvest in 2013
and
consumers
can
look
forward to high quality wines
from the 2014 harvest year.
Ideal dry, moderate conditions
reigned during ripening in
January
and
mid-February,
after which a warm period
accelerated
ripening
and
resulted in great pressure on
intakes in some areas.
Cooler weather in March
enhanced colour formation
and flavour retention in later
red cultivars. Regular rainfall at
the end of March delayed
ripening again and extended
the harvest to mid-April.
CAN HIGH-VALUE GAME
IMPROVE YOUR VELD?
Generally
speaking,
the
productivity of veld in South
Africa is far below its full
potential, mainly due to
overgrazing. Many farmers
feel that overstocking is to
blame and seek to reduce
livestock numbers. One way
of doing this is to replace
livestock with high-value
game.
A farmer in the Karroo
recently replaced his merino
ewes with impala’s.
The
trouble is, a few impala’s in a
camp will selectively graze
and re-graze the better
species
of
grass,
thus
weakening them. To start
with, the undesirable grass
species will flourish. What’s
required is a large herd of
buffalo that can be moved
through the camps quickly
to graze off the grass. This will
stimulate
regrowth.
Moreover, the buffaloes’
dung, urine and hoof action
will stimulate the germination
of dormant
Compiled by:
Jacques Murdoch
Telephone:
021 808 5197
Email:
jacquesm@elsenburg.com
DISCLAIMER
Although everything has been done to ensure the accuracy of this information,
Western Cape Department of Agriculture therefore accepts no liability that can be
incurred resulting from the use of this information.
grass seeds and provide
fertility for good growth.
It is therefore possible to
improve the veld, all that’s
required is a manageable
herd of tame ‘buffaloes’ to
provide the very necessary
tongue, hoof and fertiliser
inputs.
WHEAT
Comparing
the
final
calculated crop figures with
the numbers set by the CEC
during February 2014, the
size of the commercial
wheat crop is now 1,870
mill. tons, which is 65 550
tons or 3,63% more than the
final crop estimate figure of
1,804 mill. tons. For malting
barley the recalculated
crop size is 267 500 tons,
which is 1 498 tons or 0,56%
higher than the final crop
estimate figure of 266 002
tons. The final recalculated
canola crop estimate figure
is 112 000 tons, which is
slightly lower (41 tons or
0,04%) than the final crop
estimate figure of 112 041
tons.
WOOL
Good demand conditions
and a significantly weaker
currency contributed to
higher prices at the final
sale of the season and the
Cape
Wools
Merino
indicator gained 3,2% on
the previous sale to close at
R112,91/kg (clean). This is
an increase of 10,7% on the
opening sale and 2,4%
higher
than
the
corresponding sale of the
previous season. There was
a
considerable
large
offering of 15 596 bales of
which a sales percentage
of 97% was obtained.
WEATHER
The province experienced
normal climatic conditions
for this time of the year. The
livestock and veld condition
are reasonable. Most of the
winter crops have been
planted. The level of dams
is higher as compared to
last year during the same
time (83% in 2014 and 71%
in 2013).
AHS
–
CONTROL
MEASURES RELAXED
The last confirmed case of
African horse sickness in the
Porterville/Wellington
and
surrounds area was the 6th
May 2014 while the last
confirmed
case
in
the
Robertson area was on 21st
May 2014. This, in conjunction
with the present time of year
that
is
not
normally
associated with the successful
transmission of African horse
sickness, as well as the recent
spate of cold weather, snow
and heavy frost in the regions
affected by the outbreak, the
veterinary control measures
detailed in the relevant
veterinary
notices
and
situation reports has been
relaxed. This will be of
immediate effect. The normal
movement requirements of
equines into, within, out of
and through the various
African horse sickness zones in
South Africa, remains as
normal.
Sources:
 FAO
 StatsSA
 Milk Producers Organisation
 Grain SA
 Department of Water Affairs
 South African Reserve Bank
 South African Agricultural Machinery Association and RGT SMART
 CapeWools SA
 Nedbank
 Landbou Weekblad