The South African livestock and poultry industry faces various challenges that include animal disease and stock theft, among other issues. The one positive development in recent months has been the notable decline in the feed prices.
I was looking at yellow maize prices for today, September 15, and they remain at a level around R3,600 per tonne, which is roughly 7% down from a year ago. Soybeans, another key input in feed, are priced around R7,300 per tonne, which is down approximately 13% from a year ago.
The decline in prices mirrors the improvement in the domestic harvest in the 2024-25 production season. We may likely have entered a period of reasonably affordable feed prices. The early views about the 2025-26 agricultural season, which starts next month, October, also point to optimism and possible favourable rainfall.
Such a season would naturally deliver a better harvest, keeping feed prices in check for some time. Of course, it is too early to tell. However, I believe it is essential to highlight at least one point of optimism regarding the input costs for the livestock and poultry industries in South Africa.
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