South Africa: Farmers list their top concerns

Published Feb 20, 2023

Tridge summary

South African farmers are eagerly anticipating the 2023 budget speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, hoping for measures to support agriculture, preserve rural jobs, and livelihoods. Farmers from various sectors, including wine and sugar, are seeking reductions in excise taxes, stabilization of Eskom, and no increases in fuel levies. The South African Canegrowers Association is calling for government transparency regarding the sugar tax and is seeking oversight from the parliament’s standing committee on finance. Agricultural organizations like Agri Western Cape and Free State Agriculture are pushing for measures to address the power crisis, higher rebates for diesel used in agriculture, and tax exemptions for the agricultural sector.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

South Africa’s farmers are hoping for a spirit-lifting budget speech from the finance minister, Enoch Godongwana. As far as agriculture is concerned, Godongwana’s budget should reflect a government that is serious about saving agriculture, rural jobs and livelihoods. Godongwana will be delivering his 2023 budget speech on Wednesday, 22 February. Amongst other things, the minister is expected to announce another bailout for Eskom, and a possible increase in the health promotion levy, or sugar tax. Farmers are, however, also calling on considerations on a lower 2023 excise taxation on wine and alcoholic products, no increases in the general fuel levy and road accident fund levy, and rebates for farmers who fix public roads. Vinpro managing director Rico Basson said the wine industry remained under severe pressures brought on by local and global shocks. These shocks could potentially reduce wine profits for 2023. “The wine industry would like to highlight the need that considerations ...

Source: Foodformzansi