The Trumpet is an economic research newsletter established as an alternative option for stakeholders
to gain access to research outputs of the NAMC. This is the third issue of the economic research
newsletter. The newsletter seeks to summarise latest research, along with communicating information
on recent and upcoming events of interest to our stakeholders.

We also profile some of the researchers at NAMC with a view to promoting an interactive culture
between the NAMC and the readers of this newsletter. Lastly, snippets of important information and
statistics on the agricultural sector, locally, regionally and globally, are presented. The information
sharing will not only be valuable to stakeholders – it will also assist in keeping NAMC employees in
the loop about MERC Division’s activities. This newsletter is available through multiple channels,
including email, hard copy, website and social media.

Among the topics presented in this issue of the trumpet Newsletter, Bongani Radebe uncovers the
issues of health regarding foods that are susceptible to the recent outbreak of listeriosis. It also
features some recent NAMC working papers, conference papers, and papers published in journals.
A working paper by Lubinga and others finds that Geographic Indication (GI) fosters South Africa’s
wine exports to the EU. It also plays a fundamental role in fostering the export performance of the
Wine Industry.

Phaleng and others assesses countries that receive food aid. A published journal article by Sotsha
and others identifies (among others) distance to markets and stock size as being factors that
influence participation by Communal Livestock farmers in the National Red Meat Development
Programme (NRMDP) in South Africa. Mmbengwa and others recommend the improvement of
support to boost participation by smallholder farmers in agro-processing, and that the strengthening
of market linkages be prioritised so as to ensure the meaningful participation of smallholder farmers
in the agro-processing sector.

A conference paper by Mmbengwa and others identifies the need for the development of a robust
value chain model for the poultry and piggery smallholder sectors. Finally, Lubinga and Phaleng look
at the current market trends in Horticulture Products, focusing on the domestic market across 19 Fresh
Produce Markets (FPMs), with a focus on 5 commodities (oranges, lemon, peaches, nectarines and
avocado). The overall results suggest that there is a high demand for these commodities, despite
the low supply in the markets.

For more information on NAMC’s economic research publications, go to https://www.namc.co.za/
category/research-publications/publications/