Food Prices Increase As Land Reform Fails

South Africa has become a net importer of food as much of its land remains fallow. Food security is now also threatened  as once-productive farms lie abandoned causing shortages of staple foods.

In the midst of rising food prices, at least 50% of land reform projects have failed, meaning that for many people involved, their circumstances have not improved.

South Africa now imports more food than it exports and local production of grain, fruit and vegetables can no longer keep pace with the growing population.

Andre Jooste, senior manager at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, said they had seen a “relatively big increase” in the demand for food in the country.

“The main concern with national food security is the fact that, since the early ’90s, the population has grown by 32% while overall agricultural production has only grown by 10%”, Jooste said.

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