what is the most profitable crop in south africa

What is SA’s most profitable crop?

Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa. According to statistics from the SA Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac) Earning you almost R375,000 per hectare, this must be SA’s most profitable crop

What is the easiest crop to farm in South Africa?

What is the easiest crop to farm in South Africa 1 Lettuce. Lettuce can be sown directly in your garden bed, or started indoors for transplanting. … 2 Peas. Snap, snow, and shelling peas are all best sown as early as the soil can be worked in spring. … 3 Radishes 4 Turnips 5 Beans 6 Sunflowers 7 Sweet Potatoes. … 8 Winter Squash, including Pumpkins

Why South Africa's agriculture is rich in agriculture?

The well-developed commercial farming in South Africa is the backbone to the country’s agricultural economy. South African climate ranges from subtropical to Mediterranean, allowing for a multitude of farming opportunities.

Are macadamia nuts South Africa’s most profitable crop?

Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa. According to statistics from the SA Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac), the average export price for macadamia kernels in 2017 was R224.15/kg.

What crops are in demand in South Africa?

The most demanded vegetables in the country are lettuce, chicory, pumpkins, tomatoes, and carrots. Apart from these, leafy vegetables, like cleome, amaranth, blackjack, and Jew's mallow, which are locally produced, are also consumed in the country. Most of the country's oilseed demand is met by domestic production.

What is the most profitable crop for small farm?

Top 13 Most Profitable Crops To GrowConsiderations for Small Farms.1) Mushrooms.2) Microgreens.3) Ginseng.4) Lavender.5) Saffron.6) Goji Berries.7) Wasabi.More items...

What is the highest paying crop?

The highest yielding crops are sugar cane, sugar beet, and tomatoes. Sugar cane accounts for about 80% of the world's sugar production, while sugar beet the remaining 20%. Not surprisingly, the most lucrative cash crops from a value per acre perspective are illegal in many parts of the world.

What can I plant to make money in South Africa?

10 farming ideas that will be lucrative in 2021Fast-growing produce. According to Farming South Africa, these are the most promising produce you should plant for fast and profitable returns: ... Chickens. ... Rabbits. ... Pig farming. ... Mushroom farming. ... Beekeeping and honey production. ... Urban agriculture. ... Microgreens.More items...•

What crop is easiest to sell?

Most Profitable CropsLavender. Lavender can be used in just about everything, from food flavoring to medicines to fragrances. ... Chives. Chives can be grown indoors or out. ... Saffron. Saffron is a spice that comes from saffron crocus bulbs, a purple-blue flower that thrives in sunny environments.

What is the easiest cash crop to grow?

Cash Crops for Small Farm ProfitBamboo. Already popular in Asia, bamboo is gaining popularity around the world for its variety of uses, such as fencing material, fabric and food. ... Specialty Mushroom. Perfect crops for beginning farmers are specialty mushrooms, such as oyster mushrooms. ... Lavender. ... Garlic. ... Christmas Trees.

What are the 4 cash crops?

Well-known cash crops include coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton, and sugarcane.

What is the best plant to grow for profit?

5 Ridiculously Profitable Specialty Plants to Grow in Your...Ginseng. Used for thousands of years in Asian cultures as a healing herb and tonic, this plant brings in so much profit for growers it has been dubbed “green gold”. ... Gourmet Mushrooms. ... Bamboo. ... Herbs. ... Medicinal Marijuana.

How do farmers make money in South Africa?

10 ways Africans can make big money from food and agribusinessAgronomy consultancy. ... Investing in a farm. ... Selling of farm produce. ... Farmland yield. ... Exportation of Farm Produce. ... Packaging and Storing Farm Produce. ... Farm Transportation. ... Online Farming.More items...•

What are high value crops in South Africa?

High-value agriculture is extremely labour intensive They mostly comprise deciduous and citrus fruit, fresh vegetables, berries and nuts. This factor rises to 160 times for the most labour-intensive products: papaws, bananas, avocados, pumpkins, tobacco, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes and flowers.

Which vegetables grow fast in South Africa?

5 Super Speedy VegetablesRadishes. Sowing to harvest: 25 days. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time. ... Salad leaves. Sowing to harvest: 21 days. ... Dwarf green beans. Sowing to harvest: 60 days. ... Carrots. Sowing to harvest: 50 days. ... Spinach. Sowing to harvest: 30 days.

Who is the richest farmer in South Africa?

Graham BeckNationalitySouth AfricanAlma materUniversity of Cape TownOccupationMining Tycoon, Stud Farmer, Wine Maker, EntrepreneurSpouse(s)Rhona Beck4 more rows

What is the most expensive crop in the world?

5) Saffron . Saffron might be the most expensive (legal) crop in the world. Selling for around $2500 per pound, it’s certainly the most expensive culinary herb. It’s hard to describe what saffron tastes like, but most people describe it as a floral honey flavor.

What are the considerations for small farms?

Considerations for Small Farms. There are plenty of profitable crops that you could grow on your small farm. Deciding which crops are right for your situation will depend on many different factors, besides the obvious ones of such as climate and soil.

How many pounds of goji berries can you grow?

You can grow up to 7,000 pounds of goji berries per acre, which makes it the most valuable crop you can farm when it comes to berries. Goji berry plants are deciduous and slightly thorny woody shrubs. They grow to 3 to 6 feet tall when pruned and cultivated, although in the wild they can grow to 12 feet tall.

How much does a bonsai plant cost?

Bonsai plants can range in price from $20 for younger ones to $5,000+ or more for top specimens. Some bonsai have been growing for 100 years or more and are still healthy despite only being a foot or two tall. Bonsai is a fairly widespread hobby that is continuing to grow in popularity.

Where are goji berries grown?

Most goji berries are grown in China, but the plant is also well adapted to grow in a North American climate. Organic dried goji berries sell for $20 or more per pound, and fresh berries demand significantly higher prices, especially when sold at farmer’s markets.

How much is the medical cannabis market expected to grow in 2025?

The global medical cannabis market is expected to surpass $55 billion by 2025. So if you’re a small farmer looking to get ahead of the curve, now might be the perfect time to become a part of this growing industry. Of course we would never encourage you to break the law in the name of profit.

Can you grow mushrooms on a small farm?

When you think of small scale farm ideas, mushrooms probably aren’ t one of the first things that come to your mind as the best cash crops you can grow. But growing mushrooms can be surprisingly profitable.

What percentage of macadamias are exported in South Africa?

Some 95% of South Africa’s macadamias are exported, with China the main market. Macadamia nuts worth R3.2 billion were exported last year, up almost 20% from the previous year, according to figures from the SA Revenue Service. The Chinese government reduced its import tariffs on SA macadamias (from 19% to 12%) in November 2017.

How much do macadamia nuts yield?

Macadamia nuts can yield some R374,400 per hectare. China has lowered its import tariffs on SA macadamias. There are waiting lists of up to three years for macadamia trees. Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa.

Is the demand for macadamia nuts growing?

The demand for macadamias is growing, says Barry Christie, spokesperson of Samac. Macadamia nuts make up less than 1% of global tree nut production and growth in the Chinese market is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. It is difficult to predict when the market would become saturated, says Christie.

What is the most profitable crop in South Africa?

Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa. According to statistics from the SA Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac) Earning you almost R375,000 per hectare, this must be SA’s most profitable crop.

What is the most exported fruit in South Africa?

Oranges is the most exported Fruit By South Africa. Oranges topped the list of fruit exports by South Africa with a share value of 21.4 %, followed by table grapes, apples and lemons constituting a share value of 14.7 %, 12.4 % and 9.1 % respectively.

What are some interesting facts about farming in South Africa?

Interesting facts about farming in South Africa. As one of the world’s oldest industries, farming has shaped society, as we know it today . This is especially true when you take South Africa into consideration. According to Statistics South Africa, three main powerhouses have driven farming in South Africa. These are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the ...

Which countries have driven farming in South Africa?

According to Statistics South Africa, three main powerhouses have driven farming in South Africa. These are Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

Is South Africa a food exporter?

Citrus and deciduous fruits are exported, as are locally produced wines and flowers. South Africa is not only self-sufficient in virtually all major agricultural products, but is also a net food exporter.

Is a farmer rich?

Yes, farmers are rich in many ways, but farmers are not wealthy. They have a full life filled with nature and family, and the fulfillment of seeing the fruit of their labor in tangible ways. Farmers also understand the magnitude and importance of their work on a daily basis.

What is the most popular vegetable in South Africa?

The cultivated form of the plant Beta vulgaris of the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) is one of the most important vegetables.

Which vegetables grow in winter in South Africa?

Green onions. In case you are wondering about what vegetables to plant in winter in South Africa, why not start with onions.

What is the most profitable crop in South Africa?

Macadamia nuts are hard to beat when it comes to the most lucrative crop per land area used in South Africa. According to statistics from the SA Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac), the average export price for macadamia kernels in 2017 was R224.

Who owns Tasty Microgreens?

Just a year ago, Jaco Mynhardt, owner of Tasty Microgreens, was struggling to sell his product, as few consumers were familiar with microgreens. But news has spread about their health properties and flavour, and Mynhardt is now struggling to juggle his full-time job and producing enough microgreens to meet demand.

Is mushroom farming profitable?

With the popularity of Asian cuisine, creating a market for exotic mushrooms is becoming a lucrative business. Mushroom farming’s profitability, however, depends on location and finding yourself among the right neighbours. Mushroom production is dependent on the type of substrate that is available.

What are the fruits that are grown in South Africa?

Fruit Farming in South Africa consist of oranges and apples to table grapes and dragon fruit, South Africa is a land of fantastic fruit and one of the main fruit producing countries in the world.... more.

What is the agricultural sector in South Africa?

South Africa’s agricultural sector is one of the world’s most diverse, consisting of corporate and private intensive and extensive crop farming systems, including vegetable, fruit, nuts and grain production. The well-developed commercial farming in South Africa is the backbone to the country’s agricultural economy.

What is the production of non-indigenous flowers and foliage in South Africa?

Floriculture in South Africa is the production of non-indigenous flowers and foliage such as roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and grasses. Floriculture in South Africa includes the cultivated production and wild harvesting of fynbos or ‘Cape Flora’.... more

How to start a crop farm in South Africa?

How to Start Crop Farming. Before a farmer can start crop farming in South Africa, they need to look at the resources available - water, land, funds and labour. This will affect the type of crop, time of planting, and size of planting.... more.

What is the climate of South Africa?

South African climate ranges from subtropical to Mediterranean, allowing for a multitude of farming opportunities. The country’s biodiversity ensures that products such as grains, fruit and wine are exported and preferred for its exceptional quality. There is a growing demand to improve subsistence farming or informal small scale farming in South ...

Which country has the third most biodiverse plants?

South African Medicinal Plants. South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world and inhabitants have for centuries employed the help of indigenous medicinal plants.... more.

Is vegetable farming in South Africa?

Vegetable farming in South Africa is not simply a matter of throwing some seeds in the ground and waiting for perfect produce. Optimal conditions vary from plant to plant... more

What is the most profitable plant?

This amazing plant, a member of the grass family, has long been a landscaping favorite, as landscapers can pick a species of bamboo ranging from dwarf Sasa bamboo that is barely a foot tall, to giant timber bamboo that can reach 75 feet in height.

How much does saffron cost?

You can make lots of money by planting this very expensive culinary herb. A pound of this herb trades at around $5000 and $10000. An acre will give you about 4 pounds, indicative of how lucrative the herb is.

How tall do goji berries grow?

They’re also fairly hardy and able to thrive in dry environments. They grow to 3 to 6 feet tall when pruned and cultivated, although in the wild they can grow to 12 feet tall. Originally grown in China, goji berries are successfully grown in the US as well (mainly in Utah and Iowa).

How much garlic per acre?

According to some studies, average yield of garlic per acre is between 10,000 and 12,000 pounds and yearly profit per acre is around $80,000 what makes this crop one of the best cash crops with the highest profit per acre. Another grower and customer favorite is Elephant garlic, whose large, mild cloves bring $6-$8 per pound.

How much does an acre of herb give you?

An acre will give you about 4 pounds, indicative of how lucrative the herb is. If you stay in a dry region with mild winters, this is probably the best crop to grow. It is suitable for commercial spice production and is in high demand both locally and internationally.

How many blossoms does it take to grow saffron?

You need to delicately pick the flowers as they bloom, and then pull out the three blossoms per flower. Remember that it takes about 150 blossoms just to make a single gram of dried saffron.

How many basil plants per acre?

For instance, according to NC State Extension website, large producers who grow basil for oil, plant around 30,000 to 35,000 plants per acre. Leaf yields range from 1 to 3 tons per acre (dried) and for fresh leaves the range is even larger (6 to 10 tons).