Total income

Total income earned in the agriculture and related services industry was R302,8 billion in 2017 compared with R278,1 billion in 2016. The total income figures reflect an increase of 8,9% between 2016 and 2017. In 2017, 'animals and animal products' generated the largest sales (R128,2 billion), followed by 'horticultural crops and products' (R74,4 billion) and 'field crops' (R57,0 billion).The highest percentage increase was recorded for income earned from the sale of 'horticultural crops and products' (15,0%), followed by 'animals and animal products' (7,9%) and 'field crops' (5,9%).

Concentration ratios

In 2017, the 100 largest enterprises (in terms of total income) in the agriculture and related services industry contributed 25,1% of total income. The concentration ratios in the agricultural industry declined in all the categories between 2016 and 2017.

Income by enterprise size

Large enterprises contributed 64,5% or R195,1 billion of the total income in 2017, followed by small enterprises with a contribution of 20,1% or R60,9 billion. Micro enterprises and medium enterprises each contributed 7,7%.

Total expenditure

Total expenditure incurred by the farming sector for 2017 was R277,6 billion compared with R260,2 billion in 2016 (an increase of 6,7%). The highest contributor to total expenditure was 'purchases' with 52,5%, followed by 'salaries and wages' (12,7%), 'repairs and maintenance' (5,4%) and 'depreciation' (5,1%).

Capital expenditure

The total capital expenditure on new assets in the agriculture and related services industry in 2017 amounted to R27,9 billion compared with R23,9 billion in 2016, an increase of 16,8%. 'Motor vehicles, plant, machinery, tractors and other transport' was the largest contributor to the total capital expenditure at 63,7% or R17,8 billion, followed by 'land and building' (26,4% or R7,4 billion).

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the agriculture and related services industry as at the end of June 2017 was 748 113 compared with 739 878 in June 2016, an increase of 1,1%.