The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) released on Wednesday for Q2 indicated a decline of 4 points to 45 points, which is the lowest level since Q2 2024.
Confidence in South Africa's agricultural sector has fallen to its lowest level in two years as concerns over Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), geopolitical tensions and the prospect of adverse weather conditions weigh heavily on agribusiness sentiment.
The latest Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), released on Wednesday, declined by four points to 45 in the second quarter of 2026, following a sharp 18-point drop in the first quarter.
The reading is now at its lowest level since the second quarter of 2024 and remains below the neutral 50-point mark, indicating that agribusinesses remain pessimistic about business conditions.
According to Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo, the decline reflects a combination of domestic and international challenges facing the sector. Sihlobo said said that the factors underpinning the subdued sentiment were broad.
