There is enough food to feed the nation, says AgriSA amid Covid-19 panic buying
As consumers stockpile in fear of disruptions to global food chains amid the Covid-19 pandemic and questions as to whether SA could experience food shortages, AgriSA has said, “there is enough food to feed the nation.
Around the world, including parts of South Africa, there have been reports of empty supermarket shelves as consumers begin panic buying groceries. Urging South African consumers to stop panic buying, Agri SA deputy executive director Christo van der Rheede said: “South Africa is food secure and our food supply chain is fully operational and healthy.
South African farmers have not stopped farming. Precautionary health measures are in place to protect farmers and farm workers. The agricultural sector is working with the government to prioritise and guarantee the supply of fresh and essential agricultural products. The value chains that supply the products daily have the necessary precautions in place to protect workers and to keep supplies moving. In case of further restrictions, the harvesting, processing, distribution, delivery, and sale of agricultural products and groceries will be exempted from this.
Chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz) Wandile Sihlobo said: “On a national level for most food products, South Africa is an agriculturally-endowed country, and is generally a net exporter of agricultural and food products.”
Agbiz has placed its forecast for food price inflation this year at about 4% year-on-year compared to 3.1% year-on-year in 2019. The uptick in food price inflation compared with the previous year is associated with a potential increase in meat prices, rather than the Covid-19 pandemic. While the implications of Covid-19 on food price inflation remains unclear in the near term, Sihlobo said: “South Africa has ample food supplies for 2020, and therefore, there is no need for panic buying.
In other news – Babes Wodumo reveals the List of artists that will not be affected by the 21-day lockdown
After the 21 days lockdown announcement by the President yesterday, Mzansi has expressed a lot of mixed feelings and the bottom line being that everyone should stay at their homes and avoid unnecessary movements. This is a measure to the rapid spread of the deadly virus and the country is affected as a whole.
Taking to Twitter, Gqom Queen Babes Wodumo came out and named a few of the local artists whom she thinks will supposedly not be affected by the 21-day lockdown, prompting a reaction from Prince Kaybee. Read more
Source: IOL
