THEME
ADOPT THE ATTRIBUTE OF ADAPTABILITY
The 2020 Integrated Report showcases Senwes’ ability to adapt
to an ever-changing environment. With our roots firmly planted
in agriculture, our approach to every interaction is strategic by
nature and focused on creating value for all our stakeholders over the
short, medium and long term. The constant challenge of ensuring relevance,
staying ahead of the competition and providing innovative and
integrated solutions to our clients, are areas in which we flourish.
THE EVER-CHANGING SEASON
The 2019/2020 financial year started on the back of the highest average
rainfall for April (188,7mm) in the Senwes area of operation in the last
105 years. This meant that temperatures remained high, which kept
frost at bay until early June 2019. Planted crops therefore had more time
to grow to full maturity but late plantings suffered frost damage and
grade quality issues were evident.
ROOTED
IN AGRICULTURE
2020
INTEGRATED REPORT
ON THE COVER
Senwes is focused on
providing solutions for its
clients who work hard from
dawn to dusk to ensure
food security in Southern
Africa.
Rainfall tides quickly turned and producers in South Africa’s summer
rainfall area then experienced the driest pre-season in 105 years. The
pre-season data from 1 May to 31 October 2019 shattered the old
drought records with an average of only 13,8mm during this period
- a massive 103,6mm lower than the 105-year average of 117,4mm.
Moving into summer, the heavens opened and above normal rainfall
was received from 1 November 2019 until 30 April 2020. The traditional
Senwes area of operation received an average rainfall of 605mm,
which is 37% higher than the average rainfall for this period over the
past 105 years. The total maize crop was estimated at 15,6 million
tonnes, which would make the 2019/2020 harvest the second biggest
ever produced in South Africa. Hopes were high and the crops looked
promising.
A global pandemic shocked everyone and brought the world to a complete
halt with the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in Wuhan, China
during late December 2019. The contagious virus spread at a rapid rate
across Europe, America and to a certain extent, Africa. Caution was the
order of the day and a national lockdown was instated on 26 March
2020. The econo my took a massive blow as non-essential businesses
were forced to close down, while the rand came crashing down to an
all-time low. The rating agency Moody's downgraded South Africa’s
economy to junk-status and consumer demands went from buying
non-essential goods to back-to-basics in the blink of an eye.
Food security, amidst the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic, remained a
critical issue for the survival and well-being of all South Africans and
with restrictions placed on agricultural commodity exports such as
wheat and rice, short-term demands for South Africa’s staple food,
maize meal, increased. Processors and consumers quickly turned towards
the agricultural industry for quality white maize and as the financial
year came to a close, all eyes were on the food security supply
chain.
Agriculture, which can also be referred
to as the backbone of the South
African economy, took centre stage
as South Africans once again realised
that without primary producers and
processors, the country won’t have
the resources to ensure adequate
food supplies.
SENWES INTEGRATED REPORT 2020
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