NAMPO Cape 2026 kicked off in Bredasdorp on Wednesday, with farmers, exhibitors and visitors filling Bredasdorp Park for the first of four days.
By Talitha Janse van Vuuren, multimedia editor at African Farming
Around 43 000 visitors are expected this week, with more than 500 exhibitors spread across the showgrounds.
There is a lot to see and experience. Machinery and new technology make up a big part of the exhibition, but visitors can also see crop demonstrations, water and irrigation technology, hydroponics and aquaponics, farmer inventions and a range of agricultural products and services.
NAMPO Cape is presented by Grain SA and Bredasdorp Park NPC and runs from 9 to 12 September. This year’s theme is “Together We Grow”.
The first day wasn’t only about seeing what is new on the stands. Some of the difficult questions farmers currently face came up for discussion in the auditoriums.
Wool, livestock and traceability
Western Cape livestock farmers gathered for the joint annual meeting of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) and National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA).
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was understandably part of the conversation. Jaco van den Berg, Western Cape RPO chairperson, described it as the organisation’s biggest challenge of the past year.
There was better news for wool producers.
Dan Kriek, NWGA CEO, spoke about opportunities opening for South African wool as Australia’s industry contracts. Kriek, who attended the International Wool Textile Organisation congress in China earlier this year, also said traceability and certification are becoming increasingly important for producers wanting to compete internationally.
Traceability came up in the red meat discussion too. Hendri Truter, CEO of Deli-Co, said when buyers start asking farmers questions about quality and traceability, there is a reason for it: their customers are asking those questions.
Tough questions for wheat farmers
The pressure on South Africa’s wheat farmers was another talking point on Wednesday.
Corné Louw, Grain SA’s head of applied economics and member services, said local producers are not receiving the full value of what they produce for the South African market.
The local wheat price is currently about 9% below the price of imported wheat, Louw said.
For Swartland wheat farmer Koos Blackenberg, the issue comes down to whether farmers can continue making the numbers work. “Farmers can make plans, but they cannot continue producing if profitability is not guaranteed,” he said.
The wheat discussion is particularly relevant at NAMPO Cape, which has a strong connection to producers in South Africa’s winter grain regions. Grain SA has identified profitability, high input costs, weaker commodity prices and financing costs among the pressures currently facing these farmers.
Plenty still to see
Away from the formal discussions, there is plenty happening across the grounds.
One area worth looking out for is the Farmer Innovations Competition, where farmers and other entrants have brought practical inventions designed to make work on farms and in workshops easier, safer or cheaper. The winners will be announced on Friday.
There are also drone and vehicle demonstrations, equestrian events, agricultural discussions and an expanded poultry exhibition. There are no live cattle, sheep or goats in the livestock tent this year, although breeder societies are represented.
NAMPO Cape continues until Saturday. Gates are open from 08:00 to 17:00 until Friday and close at 14:00 on Saturday.
Also read:
Wool prices rise by 54%: ‘It gives you courage to keep going’
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How to design a drip irrigation system that works with your tractors and harvesters
