Limpopo farmers face USD 70.7M in losses as severe weather strikes

SOUTH AFRICA – Limpopo’s agricultural sector is reeling from severe frost and fires that have caused an estimated R1.3 billion (USD 70.69 million) in damage.

This crisis has prompted urgent responses from local and national authorities as farmers assess the full extent of the destruction.

The devastation began with intense frost about two weeks ago, followed by destructive fires that have swept through the region.

Henk van de Graaf, TLU SA’s northern chairperson, confirmed the preliminary damage estimate but cautioned that the final figure could increase. “We must, however, realise that we have not yet received all reports and that this figure could still rise significantly,” van de Graaf said.

Dr. Takie Makananisa, the new head of the provincial disaster management centre, was briefed on the situation. He expressed his concern, acknowledging the impact on food security and promising to address the issue with urgency.

Farmers are encouraged to submit damage reports to TLU SA North via email or WhatsApp and to communicate openly with their financial institutions to find solutions for their losses.

Orange export figures adjusted

In a related development, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has adjusted its orange export forecasts due to the recent severe weather. The Orange Focus Group met on July 23 to revise their estimates.

For Navel oranges, the export projection has been reduced to 21 million 15kg cartons, down from 25.7 million earlier in the season. The new estimate reflects a 19% reduction from initial figures.

The forecast for Valencia oranges also saw a significant cut. The expected export volume now stands at 51.6 million 15kg cartons, down from the previous estimate of 56 million.

This reduction is largely attributed to weather-related challenges in key growing areas like Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Stiaan Engelbrecht, Chairman of the Orange Focus Group, noted that “inclement weather over the past two weeks has meant further reduction in predicted volumes.”

The adverse weather has not only impacted production but also led to smaller fruit sizes and encouraged growers to shift more oranges to processing due to favorable local juicing prices.

Jan-Louis Pretorius, Vice Chairman of the CGA, highlighted the unique challenges of the season, recalling similar conditions during the 2017 drought in the Western Cape.

Last year, South Africa exported 24.8 million cartons of Navels and 52.1 million cartons of Valencias. This season’s adjustments signal a more balanced market but reflect the ongoing challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the region.

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