South Africa’s farming sector continues to support a strong level of employment, despite a decline in jobs during the second quarter.
Stats SA says the sector employed more than 900 000 people in the three months to June.
That is down by about 2 percent from the previous quarter, but up by more than 4 percent compared with the same period last year. The improvement over the past year reflects stronger activity in labour intensive crops, including fruits, vegetables and field crops.
While some farmers are reporting difficulties finding workers amid the ongoing immigration debate, industry surveys suggest these shortages remain isolated rather than widespread.
Higher fuel and fertiliser costs, rising electricity prices and the threat of an El Niño-driven drought could put pressure on farmers and employment conditions in the year ahead.
Chief economist of the agricultural business chamber of South Africa, Wandile Sihlobo, said, “What I would say that we worry a bit about is going into next year because, although now we are sitting with jobs in the second quarter of about 944,000 jobs in the farming sector.
“I think that for much of the year, they will remain fairly at these robust levels. But going into next year, there are expectations of an El Niño drought, and that may lower agricultural activity.”
