JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s farming sector continues to support a strong level of employment, despite a decline in jobs during the second quarter.
Stats SA says the sector employed more than 900,000 people in the three months to June.
That is down by about 2 percent from the previous quarter, but up by more than 4 percent compared with the same period last year.
The improvement over the past year reflects stronger activity in labour intensive crops, including fruits, vegetables and field crops.
While some farmers are reporting difficulties finding workers amid the ongoing immigration debate, industry surveys suggest these shortages remain isolated rather than widespread.
However, the sector faces more risks.
Higher fuel and fertiliser costs, rising electricity prices and the threat of an El Niño-driven drought could put pressure on farmers and employment conditions in the year ahead.