South African agricultural trusts have increased their assets to R2.76 billion, adding R154 million to asset value over the 2024/25 period. This information is presented in the latest report by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) — 'Status of Agricultural Industry Trusts: 2025 Survey.'
According to the report, the total asset value of the trusts grew from R2.60 billion in 2023/24 to R2.76 billion in 2024/25, representing an increase of approximately R154 million or 5.91%.
The agricultural industry trusts were established in accordance with Section 26 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1996. Their purpose is to maintain the assets of the agricultural sector permanently and use investment income to fund strategic initiatives such as research and development, transformation, market access, farmer development, skills enhancement, and industry competitiveness.
Despite ongoing economic pressure and market uncertainty, most Agricultural Industry Trusts demonstrated positive growth during the reporting period, according to NAMC.
The Maize Trust showed the largest asset increase, growing by approximately R120 million (11.11%). This was followed by the Mohair Trust, which increased by R29 million (9.15%), and the Meat Industry Trust, which grew by R5 million (7.46%).
Meanwhile, the National Alfalfa Trust achieved the highest percentage growth at 21.48%.
Presenting the results, Dr. Simphiwe Ngakangweni, CEO of NAMC, noted that the positive asset figures strengthen the trusts' capacity to continue funding significant programs that support transformation, research, innovation, market development, and skills enhancement across the entire agricultural value chain.
Ngakangweni emphasized that these initiatives remain vital for supporting inclusive growth and improving the competitiveness of South Africa's agriculture in line with the Agricultural and Agri-processing Master Plan (AAMP). He added that the Agricultural Industry Trusts play an important role in supporting a wide range of industry programs, including funding agricultural research, supporting farmers, development initiatives, scholarship programs, transformation projects, technology transfer, market expansion programs, and skills upgrading in the horticulture, livestock, and field crop sectors.
The report also confirms that Agricultural Industry Trusts remain an important mechanism for stimulating long-term industry development through sound governance, strategic investment management, and collaboration between the industry, government, and sector stakeholders.
According to Ngakangweni, the consistent growth of the Agricultural Industry Trusts' assets demonstrates the resilience of the sector and its commitment to investing in the future of South African agriculture. These trusts remain key in advancing a competitive and inclusive agricultural sector through targeted support for research, transformation, innovation, and farmer development.