Commodities

Production of iron ore fell in 2009 for the first time in seven years, but trade in this raw material, driven by demand from China, nevertheless increased last year, The Iron Ore Market 2009-2011 reports.

Coffee producers in Africa accounted for about 12 per cent of global supply and less than 11 per cent of global exports of the product for the 2009/10 season.

Ithuba Agriculture, which was established as an income and employment generator for a community trust in the Kranskop area of KwaZulu-Natal, has made very good progress since its establishment in 2005.Ithuba Agriculture, which was established as an income and employment generator for a community trust in the Kranskop area of KwaZulu-Natal, has made very good progress since its establishment in 2005.

Although food security in Zimbabwe improved significantly following government efforts and a US$70 mn international assistance programme providing farmers with subsidized inputs, the country still needs agricultural and food assistance next year for some 1.68 mn people.