AgriSA is prepared to protect land owners against expropriation without compensation (EWC), according to Dan Kriek, president of the agricultural industry lobby group.
He said that the land claims and processes could be challenged in court. This follows reports by Sunday newspapers last weekend that the state had begun the process of expropriating farms where negotiations over the value of the land had broken down.
Kriek said investor confidence was “very low” and reports of EWC would further affect investment in South Africa. “Farmers are however very committed to land reform and we are positive that this week’s Land Reform Summit (August 23-24) will provide workable solutions that will eliminate the need for expropriation without compensation,” he said.
According to the latest figures by the Agricultural Business Chamber (AgBiz), in 2017 South Africa’s agricultural exports grew past US$10 billion for the first time, boosted by growth in exports of edible fruits, beverages, spirits, vegetables, grains and other agricultural products.
The agricultural sector contributes around 12% of South Africa’s total gross domestic product (GDP).
