When it rains as well as it has in the past week and there is good news about tractor sales, one feels encouraged about the prospects for the agricultural sector, but I read an analysis yesterday that shows that this is not going to be an easy, or necessarily profitable, summer season.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

** Read the blog that this post draws from here: The Farming Economist.

Hierdie jaar het die ekonomiese nuus gegaan oor inflasie en rentekoerse en ons almal het dit aan ons sakke gevoel. Dit lyk nou of inflasiedruk begin afneem en die vraag is wanneer rentekoerse ʼn draaipunt gaan bereik en self gaan begin afneem. Sommige dink vroeg volgende jaar, ander dink dit gaan nog lank wees.

* DIe Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

This year the economic news was about inflation and interest rates and we all felt it in our wallets. It now seems that inflationary pressure is beginning to ease and the question is when interest rates will reach a turning point, and begin to decrease as well? Some think early next year, others think much later.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

The Minute closes the week with a few indicators, but they point in different directions. Mining production decreased by 4.5% year-on-year in September. However, manufacturing surprised and output increased. Investec is talking about the possibility of a 100 basis point repo rate increase at the end of the month.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Die Minuut sluit die week af met ʼn paar aanwysers, maar hulle wys in verskillende rigtings. Mynbouproduksie het in Septembermaand met 4,5% afgeneem jaar-op-jaar. Vervaardiging het egter verras en uitset het toegeneem. Investec praat van die moontlikheid van ʼn 100 basispunte repokoers verhoging aan die einde van die maand.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

The agricultural sector in South Africa accounts for 3% of the Gross Domestic Product but in the past few years has made an important contribution to the economic growth we have had, to exports and investment. What one mostly reads about are all the challenges the sector faces, and there are many. However, in the last week there was also some news that makes one optimistic - rain prospects for the summer season look good and tractor sales are at a record high.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

Die landbousektor in Suid-Afrika maak 3% van die Bruto Binnelandse Produk uit maar het die afgelope paar jaar ʼn belangrike bydra gemaak tot die ekonomiese groei wat ons wel gehad, tot uitvoer en investering. Waaroor mens meestal lees is al die uitdagings wat die sektor in die gesig staar, en daar is baie. Tog was daar die laaste week ook nuus wat mens optimisties maak – reënvooruitsigte vir die somerseisoen lyk goed en trekkerverkope is op ʼn rekord hoogtepunt.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

As jy na gister se episode geluister het sal jy dalk saamstem dat die groot vraagstukke rondom die omgewing, kweekhuisgasse, aardverwarming en beleid om dit teen te werk is interessant, maar dalk wil jy ook vra, hoe raak dit my huishouding of besigheid? Om netto-zero koolstofbesoedeling te hê teen 2050 klink nie of dit iets met my te doen het nie, maar eintlik raak dit ons almal indirek en oor die langtermyn.

* Die Ekonomie Minuut word ondersteun deur die NWU Sakeskool.

If you listened to yesterday's episode you might agree that the big issues surrounding the environment, greenhouse gases, global warming and policies to counter it are interesting, but you might also want to ask, how does this affect my household or business? Having net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 doesn't sound like it has anything to do with me, but actually it affects us all indirectly and over the long term.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.

This week the COP27 climate summit is being held in Egypt. There will be talk about greenhouse gases, global warming and climate change. Interesting themes are, for example, the idea that rich countries should pay compensation to poor countries for the damage their production and consumption causes to the environment and the disasters this leads to in poor countries. Think of it as the Chinese factory, or South African power station, or American consumer in his oversized SUV that has to pay for the flood damage in Bangladesh.

* The Economics Minute is supported by the NWU Business School.