Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Imports and Exports
Logistics

Agri processing and farm logistics under spotlight at Nampo

08 May 2025 - by Eugene Goddard
Moving product to market will be one of the key features of “Nampo Harvest Day.” Source: iStock
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Agricultural processing machinery and the necessary logistical means to move product to markets fast and efficiently will be the focus when thousands converge in the Free State for next week’s expo by the National Maize Producers’ Organisation (Nampo).

Bothaville’s population is estimated at just over 71 000 people, but more than 85 000 visitors are expected for the four-day duration of “Nampo Harvest Day” from 13–16 May.

Each day, more than 21 000 people are expected to stream through the gates of Nampo Park.

With accommodation in Bothaville completely booked out for the biggest agri expo in the Southern Hemisphere, including additional accommodation in nearby towns like Viljoenskroon, the skies above the small town are predicted to turn into a hive of activity.

More than 200 light aircraft, including helicopters and small twin-prop planes, are expected to fly in and out of the makeshift aerodrome near the showgrounds.

Although farming machinery generally steals the show, logistical capability is fast catching on as a necessary and crucial component to Nampo’s showstopper event – a development well illustrated by the deplorable condition of the province’s roads into Bothaville.

According to trade fair publication Expo Book, Nampo 2025 is expected to host a significant number of international exhibitors from countries such as Australia, Sweden, the USA, Britain, Italy, Pakistan, Germany, and Brazil, reflecting the expo’s global reach.

The only other such gathering drawing a larger crowd than Nampo is the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, boasting about 100 000 visitors annually.

Although many visitors will most likely fly in from Johannesburg, those coming by road from Gauteng have been advised to avoid the N1 route veering off through Parys, Vredefort and Viljoenskroon.

Although the R59 is the straightest, as-the-crow-flies route from the Rand to Bothaville, vast stretches of the road, especially between Parys and Viljoenskroon, have become so pothole-ridden that people are advised to use alternate routes.

These include roads coming from the North-West via Potchefstroom and Orkney.

The province’s dilapidated roads illustrates some of the challenges farmers face in overcoming tough market conditions.

According to Nampo chief executive, Dr Dirk Strydom, farmers don’t get subsidies but still have to make a living.

He said nowhere will this be better illustrated than at this year’s expo, marketed this time around as “Global farming, locally.”

He told Netwerk 24: “South Africa doesn’t exist as an island. Our producers compete on a global level and agriculture is increasingly blended with international challenges and technology.”

Unusually late rain in the Free State has soaked the ground and visitors have been warned to expect colder-than-usual temperatures.

But it’s the prospect of new machinery, advanced agri processing methods and technology, totalling well over R1 billion in value, that is said to be the biggest drawcard at Nampo Harvest Day.

Braving bad roads and wintry weather is worth the effort when there’s so much to learn from the latest developments in agri processing and produce-related logistics.

  • Now Media’s new title for the agricultural sector, Farm.co.za, an offshoot of the existing and well-established directory, Agrifood SA, will have a stand at Nampo Harvest Day. Come and say hello.
Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Shippers warned to monitor cargo closely during Untu strike

Logistics

Logistics company advises shippers to communicate concerns about urgent or time-sensitive cargo.

Yesterday
0 Comments

GNU targets livestock auctions after China bans SA beef

Imports and Exports
Yesterday
0 Comments

New tariff protection for South African wheat hits a snag

Imports and Exports

Itac request for comment for stronger tariff protection for locally produced wheat only protects brown flour.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Creecy outlines logistics sector reforms

Logistics

The government is continuing to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers to ensure that spare parts for essential machinery can be sourced.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Suez Canal offers toll reductions for large containerships

Logistics

“We are monitoring developments moment by moment and assessing the changing dynamics.” – Maersk.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Oil spill response in Red Sea under the spotlight

Sea Freight

Workshop focuses on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents.

Yesterday
0 Comments

President Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US

Economy

The engagement will focus on a range of bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Belgium port strike on the cards

Imports and Exports

Port operator PSA Antwerp will suspend truck export deliveries ahead of the strike.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Soy, maize imports surge due to regional drought

Imports and Exports

Dry conditions across the subcontinent forced South Africa to import white maize for the first time since the 2016-17 drought.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Famers need beyond-banking assistance – futures specialist

Imports and Exports

Agricultural assistance also extends to analysing the South African Futures Exchange.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

SA a top target for cyber attacks

Technology

Increasing dependence on technology to deliver services means security risks are rising.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Carbon capture solution cuts emissions by up to 70%

Sea Freight

The high technology system captures emissions from all exhaust gas sources.

15 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

The Cape 16 May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Cape Town
15 May

Import Manager (NVOCC)

Switch Recruit
Eastrand
15 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us