SAB Celebrates Local Farmers Driving South Africa’s Beer Value Chain
- BY MUFARO MHARIWA
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
The South African Breweries (SAB) has reaffirmed its deep roots in the country’s farming economy, highlighting the beer industry’s contribution of over R2.2 billion to agricultural GDP and support for more than 38,000 agricultural jobs nationwide.
Since 2017, SAB has invested over R650 million in agricultural development to ensure that beer brewed in South Africa is made from natural, locally sourced ingredients, while empowering communities and promoting inclusive growth.
At the ‘Cheers to Farmers’ event in Rooiwal, SAB recognised the farmers powering South Africa’s beer value chain and demonstrated how investment, innovation, and partnerships are shaping a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Madoda Sambatha, MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West, praised the collaborative model: “Here in Taung, we see what investment in agriculture really means: productive land, jobs for local households, and thriving communities. Farming is the bedrock of our economy, and by supporting our farmers, we are building a more inclusive and sustainable future for the North West Province.”
SAB works with FarmSol, an implementation partner that supports small-scale barley and maize farmers with skills development, technical assistance, mechanisation, and agronomy services. These interventions enhance farmer productivity and bolster community food security.
In the past year alone, SAB supported 62 smallholder farmers producing 4,000 tonnes of barley, backed by R20 million in interest-free loans and R16 million in mechanisation support, co-funded with the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) over the last three years.
Solly Molepo, Senior Manager at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), noted:
“The long-term commitment to research and development we witnessed today—including new barley varieties and advanced mechanisation—helps farmers increase productivity and remain globally competitive. Beyond delivering tonnes of grain, our farmers are ensuring food security, economic growth, and opportunities for young people and women in agriculture.”
“For 130 years, SAB’s story has been inseparable from the story of South Africa’s farmers,” said Kyle Day, Vice President of Sustainability and Procurement at SAB. “Cheers to Farmers is our way of celebrating their resilience and recognising the vital role they play in building a stronger economy for all.”
SAB’s agricultural programmes now reach over 500 farmers annually, focusing on women, youth, and emerging growers through training, funding, and market access. Key partners, including FarmSol, NAMC, and provincial governments, help create an inclusive ecosystem where farmers can thrive.
