Boom year for mohair industry
[caption id="attachment_36657" align="alignright" width="200"] KOBUS DE KLERK[/caption]
THE mohair industry is experiencing a boom, and this year is expected to be one of the best for some time. Production should show a substantial rise, SA Mohair Growers' Association (Samga) president Kobus de Klerk said in his presidential address to the 71st annual general congress of the association at the Wool and Mohair Exchange in Port Elizabeth yesterday .
"Last year I said that the farming conditions were good, but this year they are even better, with increased rain in most production areas," De Klerk said.
"I hope that this will last for some time, so the veld can recover from the previous dry years."
Production last year held a slow upward curve, increasing by 3.4%, he said.
"All indications are there that the production in the 2014 winter season will show a substantial rise.
"Prices were very good this [summer] season, with an increasing drive on every sale. The average market indicator for the season was R155.88."
There was an increase in the demand for angora goats, with several new farmers showing an interest in starting to farm with these goats, De Klerk said.
Exports had increased by 13.6% over the period June last year to May this year, with the biggest importers of South African-produced mohair being Italy and China. Along with Lesotho, South Africa produces more than 70% of the world's mohair.
Pro-Agri chairman Charl Senekal, who gave the opening address at the congress, told the Samga members to remember it was an honour and privilege to be a commercial farmer in South Africa.
"Farmers in this country must remain leaders and set an example for others in their districts," Senekal said.
"The role of agriculture is worth gold for this country. There is a big future in farming in this country and continent."
Agriculture would become a more important industry than mining in South Africa because it was a more sustainable industry, he said.
Despite the slow economic growth in the country, Senekal said the value of farming properties in the country grew yearly between 7% and 11%.
He predicted that interest rates would not increase again anytime soon and suggested to the Samga farmers that now was not a bad time to buy land.
Senekal, who grew up in Willowmore but now farms with sugarcane in KwaZulu- Natal, said he was a big supporter of the mohair industry and that mohair farmers were probably one of the most successful breed of farmers, who moved under the radar.
"Had I not hacked a career opening in the sugar industry, I would have farmed with angora. I am a person of the Karoo.
"As an industry you are standing strong, growing and achieving record prices. The future is in your hands – agriculture in SA is changing every day," Senekal said.
Mohair SA did a presentation at the congress on the marketing of mohair worldwide at trade exhibitions in which they had particularly made inroads such as the Chinese luxury and high-end consumer market.
Winners of the sought-after Miyuki Awards were announced at a cocktail evening last night. The Miyuki Awards are annually presented to the farmers with the best-classed mohair clips.
The election of the new president and vice-president of Samga will be announced today, which is the last day of the congress. - Cindy Preller
