Sabrina Dean
Farmers Weekly
Positive performance in the agriculture sector in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 has helped lift South Africa’s economy out of a technical recession.Stats SA said in its Q3 GDP release that South Africa’s economy grew 2,2% quarter-on-quarter (q/q), bringing to an end the country’s second recession since 1994.A number of sectors apart from agriculture had contributed to the growth; these included manufacturing (the main driver with growth of 7,5%), transport and finance and business services.
“The agriculture industry bounced back from two consecutive quarters of negative growth to record a 6,5% rise in the third quarter,” Stats SA said.This was largely attributed to strong growth in the production of field crops, horticultural cultivation and animal products.