We trust that our SAPPO members had a blessed and joyous Christmas with family and friends, that you enjoyed some well-deserved rest, and are now energised for the year ahead. The SAPPO team extends heartfelt gratitude for the continued support of pork producers and other role players in the pork value chain. We are ready to embrace 2025 and look forward to serving the industry with renewed vigour and commitment.
Globally, the year ahead promises to be particularly intriguing. The return of a Trump 2.0 presidency, centered on the election slogan “Make America Great Again,” could have far-reaching implications for international trade. Whether proposed tariff increases will be enacted, and to what, extent remains to be seen. Additionally, veiled threats of trade interruptions for BRICS nations and AGOA could pose significant challenges for South African exporters. On a hopeful note, we anticipate that the Trump administration’s pledge to resolve geopolitical tensions, such as the Ukraine–Russia conflict, will come to fruition.
The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming years is set to be captivating. Generative AI, where machines can engage in sophisticated thought and conversational interactions, is expected to advance rapidly – hopefully to the greater benefit of humanity. AI has undoubtedly already made us more productive in the workplace, and AI’s possibilities in medicine, support for people with disabilities, and countless other applications can only be imagined. What an exciting world we live in!
Domestically, Eskom’s achievement of 300 days without load-shedding is noteworthy, albeit tempered by disruptions caused by summer storms and poorly maintained infrastructure. Nonetheless, this progress warrants muted applause, and we are optimistic that other state-owned enterprises, particularly Transnet, will follow suit and improve service delivery.
As we step into 2025, the resilience of SAPPO members is being tested once again. Pork prices face pressure from subdued demand and exorbitant feed costs, exacerbated by an early-season drought. Encouragingly, indications suggest that maize prices may decrease in the coming months following favourable December and January rains. SAPPO remains committed to providing accurate and transparent data and analyses to support sound business planning. We welcome engagement, dialogue, and suggestions as we strive to enhance our services to the pork value chain.
Our marketing team has been actively exploring innovative ways to boost pork acceptance. Initiatives such as the “Myth Busters” and “Pork Facts” advertising campaigns are gaining traction. The increased utilisation of social media to promote pork is particularly exciting, as it allows us to measure our reach effectively and significantly reduces the time from conceptualisation to distribution. We firmly believe these initiatives will strengthen pork’s position within the meat protein segment.
While we cannot guarantee a prosperous 2025 for pig farmers, we can assure you that the SAPPO team is deeply committed to the well-being of the pork industry. We will continue to do everything we can to support you through challenges and opportunities.
Best wishes for a successful and fulfilling 2025.
