South Africa’s agricultural sector is reeling from the sudden return of load-shedding, which escalated to Stage 6 on February 23, 2025, before being reduced to a lower stage on Monday. Despite the slight relief, power cuts continue to disrupt farming operations, creating uncertainty for producers already under pressure.
The Western Cape, a cornerstone of the nation’s fruit, wine, and dairy production, is among the hardest hit, with farmers grappling with disrupted harvests and soaring costs. While many producers have adapted to the country’s chronic power woes, the unexpected intensity and poor communication surrounding this latest crisis have thrown operations into disarray.
A Predictable Crisis, Unpredictable Impact
Alwyn Kraamwinkel, CEO of the South African Milk Processors’ Organisation, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the anticipated strain on Eskom’s ageing grid. “Load-shedding was not unexpected,” he said, acknowledging the system’s fragility. However, the lack of advance warning and the severity of the outages caught many off guard. “Most commercial primary and secondary producers have invested in generators or alternative energy systems by now,” Kraamwinkel explained. “But using these alternatives drives up production costs significantly.” For dairy farmers, powering milking parlours and refrigeration units with backup systems is a costly necessity to prevent spoilage, eroding already thin profit margins.
Harvest Season Under Pressure in the Western Cape
In the Western Cape, the timing couldn’t be worse. Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, emphasised the region’s vulnerability during peak harvest season. “We are currently in the middle of the wine and pome fruit harvesting seasons,” he said in a statement on X on February 25, 2025. “Packhouses and cellars will be forced to use alternative energy systems to alleviate the impact of load-shedding.” While farmers have bolstered preparedness—many now rely on solar panels or diesel generators—the financial burden is undeniable. “These measures impact farm finances,” Strydom noted, highlighting the trade-off between resilience and profitability.
Irrigation Risks for Late Crops
Irrigation, a lifeline for agriculture, is less of an immediate concern for current harvests, according to Strydom. “For the wine grapes and early pome fruit varieties, irrigation needs are mostly met,” he said. However, late-season crops like apples and pears, harvested through April, remain at risk. “They must continue to receive sufficient irrigation water,” he stressed. Power cuts disrupting water pumps could jeopardise yields, especially in rural areas where backup options are less robust than in urban centres like Cape Town.
Eskom’s Explanation and a Glimmer of Hope
The crisis stems from Eskom’s maintenance challenges, not sabotage, as clarified by Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. He assured the public that relief is imminent, projecting an end to load-shedding by the week’s close. Eskom CEO Dan Marokane traced the chaos to a transformer overload that triggered a cascade of failures at the Majuba and Camden power stations. “We understand the exact nature of how the event came about,” Marokane said, promising a deeper investigation into system design flaws to prevent future collapses.
Resilience Tested, Costs Rising
For now, farmers soldier on, balancing hope and pragmatism. Kraamwinkel and Strydom share cautious optimism about a swift resolution, but the damage is already felt. Rising production costs threaten South Africa’s agricultural competitiveness, particularly in export markets where Western Cape wine and fruit are prized. As the nation awaits power stability, the resilience of its farmers is tested once more—proof that while preparation can soften the blow, it cannot fully shield against the chaos of an unreliable grid.
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The second day will shift focus to Plant AgTech, featuring thought leaders such as Mushambi Mutuma (South Africa) on Re-Coding Your Business for Growth, and Pieter Geldenhuys (South Africa) discussing Beyond the Algorithm: The Frontier of AI, Remote Sensing, and Earth Intelligence. Additionally, Alan Hardacre (Brussels), a strategic leader in global advocacy and public affairs, will present Sowing Truth in a Digital Storm: Addressing Technophobia and AI-Driven Disinformation in Agriculture.
