Wine Industry PAGE 1-2. Dairy Industry PAGE 3-5. Livestock PAGE 6. Equestrian Industry PAGE 7. Shows PAGE 8. Youth PAGE 9. General PAGE 10-11

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2 Wine Industry PAGE 1-2 SA Young Wine Show Veritas Wine Harvest Commemorative Event Dairy Industry PAGE 3-5 South African Dairy Championships Agri-Expo Qualité Awards Dinner South African Cheese Festival Livestock PAGE 6 Agri-Expo Livestock Equestrian Industry PAGE 7 Sales Lanzerac Ready to Run Sale Cape Premier Yearling Sale April Yearling Sale Member Shows Member Shows Meeting Western Cape Poultry Club Youth Shows Agricultural Schools Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) US Woordfees World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards Agricultural Writers Association Shows PAGE 8 Youth PAGE 9 General PAGE Partners PAGE 12 Personnel PAGE 13 Finance PAGE 13 Conclusion PAGE 13

3 W I N E I N D U S T R Y S A YOUNG WINE SHOW THE SOUTH AFRICAN YOUNG WINE SHOW GIVES WINEMAKERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR BEST WINES OF THE CURRENT VINTAGE. The show dates back to 1833 when the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society presented the first wine show in South Africa. This makes the SA Young Wine Show the oldest wine competition in South Africa, presented for the 185 th time this year. The mission of the South African Young Wine Show is to judge the quality of wines that are still in their infancy, i.e. within the year of production before they are finally blended and bottled. In this way, the industry can give recognition to the production capabilities of a wine cellar. Very few of these wines are for sale or in their final form at the time of being judged. Namaqua Wines stole the show at the 2017 SA Young Wine Awards. Production Manager Len Knoetze and his fine team of winemakers from Namaqua Wines clinched this competition s two top trophies. Their wooded Red Blend of Ruby Cabernet/Carmenere/Merlot was crowned as the winner of the General Smuts Trophy as overall SA Champion young wine for Moreover, Namaqua also won the sought-after Pietman Hugo Trophy for the highest total points for their five best entries. Their winning streak continued with a trio of SA Champion trophies. Of the wines entered, 17 won SA Champion trophies, 51 achieved class winner status and 110 were awarded gold medals. Spier Wines and Benguela Cove Wine Estate both excelled with two SA Champion trophies each. The eight participating wine regions are Robertson, Worcester/Breedekloof, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Oranje- Vaal, Olifantsrivier, Swartland and Klein Karoo. Champions are crowned in the following categories: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other White Cultivar, Dry White Blend, Sweetish Wine, Nobel Late Harvest, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivar, Dry Red Blend, Port, Dessert Wine en Muscadel. In addition to the 17 SA championship trophies, the impressive General Smuts Trophy introduced in 1952 for the overall SA Champion Young Wine, is also at stake. Christo Pienaar (Chairman: SANWV) and Reiner van Greunen and Len Knoetze of Namaqua Wines, the winner of the General Smuts Trophy as well as the Pietman Hugo Trophy The stars of the 2017 vintage were announced during a glittering gala evening, hosted by Worcester / Breedekloof, at Goudini Spa, with Agri-Expo as joint sponsor. WINE INDUSTRY I

4 W I N E I N D U S T R Y V E R I T A S THE VERITAS AWARDS IS THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS WINE COMPETITION IN SOUTH AFRICA AND IS SYNONYMOUS WITH EXCELLENCE IN WINE. The organisers, the South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA), represents the full spectrum of the industry. Agri-Expo, as a partner of SANWSA, is represented on the Board and is a partner of the awards ceremony held at the CTICC on 6 October The year 2017 saw 1638 entries, with a record number of medals being awarded. The top award winner was Distell with 7 Double Gold medals and 18 Gold medals. Second in the top achievers was Spier with 6 Double Gold medals and 9 Gold medals. The 27th year of the competition saw a new award being introduced the highly coveted overall champion wine Veritas Vertex Award. The first winner of the Veritas Vertex Award was Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc This event takes place at South Africa s oldest wine estate, Groot Constantia Estate, which was established in 1685 by the then Governor, Simon van der Stel. During this event the harvest is blessed and a special 1659 medal of honour is awarded to a South African wine icon. The medal has been awarded to significant role-players in the industry since The unsung contributors to the wine industry were honoured this year. The Groot Constantia board decided to symbolically honour the voiceless and often faceless wine workers over the centuries by making them the collective recipient of the 1659 medal, as without them the wine industry could never have flourished. Representatives from the industry received the medal on behalf of the wine workers. The award will rotate between different venues in the wine industry and will ultimately reside at Groot Constantia. Agri-Expo presented this event for the third time this year. Four legends in the industry were honoured, namely Walter Finlayson, Nicky Krone, Giel Swiegers and Hugo van der Merwe. VERITAS / QUALITÉ CHEESE TASTINGS Qualité cheeses were provided to be tasted with double gold and gold Veritas wines during three exclusive public tastings, in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. WINE HARVEST COMMEMORATIVE EVENT The handing over of the 1659 medal of honour The South African wine industry celebrates a special occasion in February each year when it commemorates the industry s first vintage on South African soil on 2 February 1659, as recorded by Jan van Riebeeck. WINE INDUSTRY I

5 D A I R Y I N D U S T R Y S O U T H A F R I C A N D A I R Y C H A M P I O N S H I P S The South African Dairy Championships took place on 22 February 2018 at Grand West and was adjudicated by 84 judges. It is the oldest dairy competition in South Africa, celebrating its 185 th year of existence. This year, 945 products from 83 manufacturers, of which 15 first-time entrants, were entered in 107 classes. Judging during the championships The SA Dairy Champions are the winners in each of the 107 classes in ten categories, namely cheese, butter, yogurt, dairy desserts, cottage cheese, ice cream, flavoured and cultured milk, dairy dips, milk and cream. The 2018 team of judges The purpose of the championships is to promote excellence in the dairy industry and to improve quality. The record number of entries shows the confidence manufacturers still have in a championship that dates back to Previous participants entered products in other classes, which indicates growth in product development of the existing manufacturers. The Qualité mark is awarded to products of outstanding quality. A panel of five highly knowledgeable judges selects the Product of the Year. The competition also benefits the consumer by ensuring they will enjoy the very best dairy products in the country, with stickers that are proudly placed on qualifying products in retail shops. The team of judges has a very high level of expertise and resort under the expert guidance of chief judge and well-known international dairy judge, Kobus Mulder. The championships is one of the only in the world that uses five judges per category to achieve a more accurate result. The judges comments are shared with participants with the aim to improve product quality, encourage innovation and promote excellence in the dairy industry. Agri-Expo regularly consults with the dairy industry and this year made one new addition to the championships for cream. Johan Ehlers (Agri-Expo) with the judges Kobus Mulder, Steven Bullin (international cheese specialist) and Marlene van der Westhuizen (celebrity chef and food writer) DAIRY INDUSTRY I

6 D A I R Y I N D U S T R Y A G R I - E X P O Q U A L I T É A W A R D S D I N N E R Parmalat s 10-months Mature Gouda, made especially for Woolworths, was crowned the South African Dairy Product of the Year for the second year in a row at the Agri-Expo Qualité Awards Gala Dinner on 23 March 2018 at GrandWest. This is a first for the Championships, celebrating its 185th year of existence. Lourens Heyns (Parmalat SA Bonnievale), Selwyn Claassen (Parmalat SA Ladismith), Johan Ehlers (CEO of Agri-Expo) and Eugene Swarts (General Manager Parmalat SA). Qualité is the only mark of excellence for dairy products in South Africa. This year Parmalat SA (Pty) Ltd took the lead with seven Qualité awards, followed by Belnori Boutique Cheesery with four awards. Baris Cheese, Coega Dairy, Dalewood Fromage, Dutch Goat Farm, Fair Cape Dairies (Pty) Ltd, Ladismith Cheese Company (Pty) Ltd and Langbaken Karoo Cheese each received one Qualité award. The 2018 SA Dairy Product of the Year The Gouda was one of 945 dairy products from 83 producers that vied for the attention of the 84 judges ranging from food technologists to cheese retailers, and food bloggers to chefs. From the magnitude of entries, only 105 were named SA Champion and only 18 honoured with the Qualité mark of excellence. The 2018 Qualité winners DAIRY INDUSTRY I

7 D A I R Y I N D U S T R Y S A C H E E S E F E S T I V A L THE SA CHEESE FESTIVAL, THE BIGGEST OUTDOOR CULINARY EVENT IN AFRICA, TRULY EXCELLED THIS YEAR BY NOT ONLY BEING AWARDED AS AAXO'S BEST CONSUMER EXHIBITION, BUT ALSO AS THE CAPE WINELAND'S FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR. The 17th SA Cheese Festival was held from 27 to 29 April Agri-Expo was pleasantly surprised by the strong buying power at the festival, despite the economic challenges for the consumer, and attributed it to the quality of the products at the festival. Media exposure of more than R40 million was generated this year. Standard Bank Tasting Room Water-wise recipes were specially developed for cooking demonstrations at the festival. The recipes are included in a free recipe book as part of Agri-Expo and the WCDoA s collaborative Cape Made project. Minister Alan Winde supported the #waterwise SA Cheese Festival The SA Cheese Festival was honoured on World Tourism Day, 27 September, as Festival of the Year by the Cape Winelands District Municipality's Executive Mayor, Alderman (Dr) Helena von Schlicht, as part of the sixth annual Mayoral Tourism Awards. These awards celebrate the achievements of role players in the Cape Winelands tourism industry. The SA Cheese Festival was highlighted as a world-famous highlight for visitors to the Cape Winelands. The three food theatres at the festival were a big hit with visitors. No less than 40 demonstrations were presented by culinary specialists and celebrity chefs. Several new boutiques cheeseries such as Vredesberg, an empowerment project from Kareedouw, exhibited for the first time thanks to the support of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and Absa. A new addition to this year s festival was a dedicated #waterwise exhibition area. In response to Wesgro s call to keep the Western Cape economy growing during the current drought, Agri-Expo decided to continue with the 2018 SA Cheese Festival without any impact on the water grid. Visitors at the 2018 SA Cheese Festival DAIRY INDUSTRY I

8 L I V E S T O C K I N D U S T R Y A G R I - E X P O L I V E S T O C K & D I E G R O O T P L A A S P R O E This year's Agri-Expo Livestock, presented at Sandringham from 12 to 14 October 2017, was a great success with many firsts at this world-class agricultural exhibition. Agri-Expo Livestock and the Groot Plaasproe was awarded the Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition at the AAXO (African Association of Exhibition Organisers) ROAR Exhibition Operations Awards in February this year. Andrew Masterson, well-known cattle breeder from the Eastern Cape, made history by winning both the Dairy as well as the Beef Interbreed Championships at this year s show. Masterson s Holstein cow Milagro Sexie was crowned as the FNB Dairy Queen and his Black Angus cow Milagro Power 1324 as the BKB Beef Queen. Masterson describes Livestock as "the best marketing opportunity in the industry". The Centenary celebrations of the Angus cattle breeders society were one of the highlights. Working sheep dogs were auctioned at Livestock for the first time in 30 years in South Africa. The first Landbouweekblad Grooms Challenge and the Cape Rabbit Club's Spring Championship show were presented with great success. The agricultural education programme for schools in partnership with the WCDoA was attended by more than learners. Learners are informed in a practical way about the importance and value of the industry as well as agricultural career choices. The 2017 FNB Dairy Queen Visitors were able to discover unique farm tastes like gin-flavoured cheese and Wagyu and Boer goat meat on Saturday 14 October at the Groot Plaasproe. Everyone enjoyed live music by Adam Tas, Nic Stevens and the Wildberries, and visitors could even learn to line dance. The 2017 BKB Beef Queen The exceptional enthusiasm and high attendance numbers prove that the event adds value to the agricultural sector as well as for the public. Media exposure of more than R20 million was generated compared to R4 million in LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY I

9 E Q U E S T R I A N SALES Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) contracted Agri-Expo to run the logistics and stable care for their sales during the last financial year. Due to changes in the racing industry only three sales were presented this year, under the very capable leadership of recently appointed CEO of CTS, Wéhann Smith. These sales took place in the Western Cape. LANZERAC READY TO RUN SALE DURBANVILLE RACECOURSE: OCTOBER 146 horses were catalogued and 130 sold at an average price of R Gallops were held on the Thursday morning and the sale took place on Friday evening. CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE CTICC CAPE TOWN: JANUARY APRIL YEARLING SALE DURBANVILLE RACE COURSE: APRIL This sale is the biggest sale, with 343 yearlings catalogued. The average price achieved was R with 209 yearlings sold. A buyer at the April Sale The Premier Yearling Sale at CTICC remains the flagship of the year. 254 young yearlings were selected for the 2018 sale. The average price was R with 221 horses sold. Drakenstein Stud preparing for the Premier Yearling Sale at CTICC Lot number 28 at the April Sale EQUESTRIAN I

10 S H O W S MEMBER SHOWS Agri-Expo once again acted as a sponsor to 14 sustainable agricultural shows this year, who are members of the Society. These shows promote the image of agriculture and display agricultural products of high quality. Several National, Provincial and Regional Championships are held annually under the Agri-Expo banner at these shows. Animals and other agricultural products are improving every year at these shows and championships and attract considerable interest from across South Africa. In addition to these offerings, there are also youth shows, shows for emerging farmers and poultry shows. MEMBER SHOWS MEETING Agricultural shows worldwide are under pressure, but cooperation and, especially, renewal are the key to the survival of a successful show industry. This was the focus of this year's Agri-Expo Member Shows meeting on 1 June 2018 at Rhebokskloof in Paarl. More than 40 representatives of 15 shows in the Western and Northern Cape attended the event. The purpose of the meeting is to exchange ideas between shows, stimulate new thinking patterns, discuss trends in agriculture, and co-ordinate show dates. Suzaan Smit, Secretary of Swellendam Show, talked about how this show was transformed from a financial loss to a show that is so successful that they can give back to the community. She attributes this rescue to people with a passion for their show who applied Agri- Expo's suggestions. Changes include stricter financial management and knowledge transfer between older and younger board members. The management now consists of 30 members, of whom one third is under the age of 40, seven are section heads and 16 are women. Kobus Gerber, President of Riversdal Show, celebrating their 150th anniversary this year, talked about adjustments in order to still be relevant. The show's motto is 'Eg Plattelands' ( True to the countryside ) and although there is a festive atmosphere, it is an agricultural show and not just a festival like in many other towns. Representatives of shows in Beaufort West, George, Clanwilliam, Heidelberg, Loeriesfontein, Malmesbury, Riversdale, Robertson, Swartland, Swellendam, Tulbagh, Victoria West, Villiersdorp and Williston, as well as the Western Cape Poultry Club, the Western Cape Youth Show and Agri-Expo at the member shows meeting in Paarl WESTERN CAPE POULTRY CLUB SHOW The annual Western Cape Poultry Show took place from 14 to 16 June 2018 at Kleinplasie, Worcester. Almost chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys from 120 different breeds were shown. According tot the show manager it was the first time that the Bergische Kräher chicken breed was on show in South Africa. (Big) Lakenvelders also participated in the show for the first time this year. The judges were very impressed with the quality, appearance and preparation of the poultry of excellent quality. The show attracted a large number of visitors and received many compliments. Various schools were invited to attend the show and the learners enjoyed it very much. Agri-Expo is proud of the manner in which the Western Cape Poultry Show promotes the poultry as well the breed purity of poultry in the Western Cape. SHOWS I

11 Y O U T H YOUTH SHOWS Agri-Expo's commitment to youth shows dates back to 1999 when Agri-Expo took the initiative to establish the Western Cape Agricultural Youth Society and the National Agricultural Youth Society. Today Agri-Expo acts as a sponsor of the Western Cape Agricultural Youth Society. This is an independent organisation that strives for the promotion of agriculture among the youth in the Western Cape through youth shows. Nine regional shows were presented, with more than 971 participants, the most in the history of youth shows in the Western Cape. These regional shows were presented at: Swellendam (127), George (61), Clanwilliam (110), Nampo Kaap (73), Swartland (127), Riversdal (95), Malmesbury (110), Heidelberg (131), and at Agri-Expo Livestock (137) learners. Participants at these regional shows must qualify to be invited to the Agri-Expo Western Cape Championships. During these regional shows students participate in the following categories: Horses, Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Chickens, Mutton Goats, Angora Goats, Milk Goats, Wool Sheep, Mutton Sheep, Dairy Preparation, Pigeons and Culinary Arts. Training and development took place with learners from Anne Pienaar Primary in Malmesbury and Olympia School of Skills in George this year. Elizabethfontein Primary attended the Youth Show at Clanwilliam Show. The Agri-Expo Western Cape Youth Show Championship was hosted in George from 18 to 22 March The standard of participants from across the Western Cape was of high quality. A total of 179 learners took part in the championships, the most ever. The National Youth Show Championship was hosted at Bathurst in the Eastern Cape from 1 to 4 October The Western Cape team once again prevailed this year and was crowned as the champions of this competition for the twelfth consecutive time. Participants in the Culinary Arts category during the Agri-Expo Western Cape Youth Show Championships AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS Agri-Expo has a long association with the three agricultural schools in the Western Cape, namely Augsburg Agricultural Gymnasium in Clanwilliam, Boland Agricultural High School in Paarl and Oakdale Agricultural High School in Riversdale. Breyton Milford, Chairperson of the National Youth Show Society, with Willem-Adriaan Engelbrecht, Christiaan Eksteen and Pieter Fourie during the Agri- Expo Western Cape Youth Show Championships Bursaries are made available annually to these three agricultural schools to use at their prize-giving functions for students who excel in academic and agricultural areas throughout the year. Agri-Expo is proud of the quality agricultural education offered by these three agricultural schools in the Western Cape. YOUTH I

12 G E N E R A L ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE COMMONWEALTH (RASC) Agri-Expo is a member of the RASC, the official voice of Agriculture in the Commonwealth. Founded in 1957 by its President, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the RASC plays a pivotal role in the promotion of agriculture. Today the RASC is a confederation of more than 50 agricultural societies, research institutions and agricultural associations across the Commonwealth with HRH The Princess Royal as President. Next Generation Assistance and Understanding Mission The bid to host the 2017 RASC Next Generation Assistance and Understanding Mission was awarded to Agri-Expo. It is the first such mission to South Africa. started in the vicinity of Wupperthal with a visit to emerging small scale farmers in order to showcase real subsistence farming still in operation in South Africa. Other stops on the tour included small scale as well as commercial farming operations in Clanwilliam, Lambertsbay, Paarl, Ceres, Breede River Valley and Philippi, as well as a visit to the Agri Dwala Group in Napier and the Moorreesburg Show. The mission marked a unique opportunity for Agri-Expo and the RASC to collaboratively promote a positive image of South African agriculture on an international platform. Breyton Milford (Operations Manager of Agri-Expo) acted as the mission leader. A report of the mission was compiled by the delegates in book format and is available on Agri-Expo s website. 30 th Commonwealth Agriculture Conference, 2022 Johan Ehlers and Breyton Milford with Next Generation members during the mission Agri-Expo hosted a group of 13 young international agricultural leaders from across the Commonwealth for a period of two weeks. The mission, from 29 August to 8 September 2017, with the theme Bridging the gap between emerging and commercial farmers, focused on agriculture in the Western Cape from Wupperthal to the Overberg. The mission is not an agricultural tour but a hands-on understanding and assistance experience to provide extension work in support of local farmers. The mission The bid to host the Commonwealth s 30th Agriculture Conference in 2022 was awarded to Agri-Expo by the RASC in December The congress is an ideal opportunity to focus the world s attention on the South African agricultural environment and specifically the Western Cape. The congress will take place in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 13 to 18 November 2022 and will be attended by some 300 delegates from 30 Commonwealth countries. The 28th Commonwealth Agriculture Congress takes place in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) in 2018 and the 29th Congress in 2020 in Norwich (Norfolk, England). GENERAL I

13 G E N E R A L WORLD WINE TRADE GROUP (WWTG) US WOORDFEES Merino lamb and Veritas award-winning wines, game meat and Shiraz, gourmet cheese and rooibos were among the unique tastings that could be enjoyed by connoisseurs during this year's Agri-Expo Agricultural Series at the Stellenbosch University Woordfees. These popular tastings have grown this year into a series of 10 tasting sessions, attended by more than 450 guests. Celebrity chef Bertus Basson presented Merino leg of lamb tastings from different regions along with Veritas award-winning red wines. Cape Wine Master and Veritas Vice Chairman, Bennie Howard, paired the leg of lamb with the perfect Veritas award-winning red wines. South Africa was the host of the 2017 World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) Annual Meeting. The WWTG is an informal group of government and industry representatives from wine-producing countries with the aim to facilitate international trade in wine. Agri-Expo formed part of the organising committee of the events from 1 to 3 November 2017 in Cape Town, supported by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The meeting included a Conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cape Town as well as a Gala Dinner at Neethlingshof Wine Estate, with a performance by the Stellenbosch Libertas Choir. WESTERN CAPE PRESTIGE AGRI AWARDS Agri-Expo is involved annually in the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards, hosted by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. The competition gives recognition to the important contribution of agricultural workers to the agricultural sector in South Africa. The 2017 awards function was held at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl on 4 November. The prestigous Agri- Expo floating trophy for Agri Worker with the Best Potential was awarded to Martin Lambrechts of Elim Farming in the Hex valley. Merino leg of lamb tastings with Veritas wines Agri-Expo aims to promote the image of agriculture in exciting ways, and with this initiative, in collaboration with our partners, Agri-Expo creates a unique platform to convey the image of agriculture to a wider audience. A new addition was the Shiraz and game meat tasting. Edmund Terblanche, chairman of Shiraz South Africa, as well as cellar master and award-winning winemaker of La Motte Wine Estate, shared his knowledge while chef Bertus presented various game cuts. During the the Cheese and Wine Tasting 2017 Farmer of the Year Charles Back from Fairview explained how new cheeses and wine styles are created and how manufacturers go about to enchant the taste buds. AGRICULTURAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION Eunice Joubert, Marketing Manager of Agri-Expo, was elected Chairman of the Western Cape branch of the Agricultural Writers Association and Hugo Lochner, President of Agri-Expo, as Deputy Chairman. The branch was responsible for arranging a visit to the 2017 Farmer of the Year, Charles Back of Fairview, from 22 to 23 February. Agri-Expo once again, in collaboration with the Western Cape branch, hosted the 37th annual Agricultural Writers SA s National BKB Photo Competition for agricultural media. All the logistical arrangements and entries for the competition is handled by the Agri-Expo staff. GENERAL I

14 P A R T N E R S AGRI-EXPO WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL PARTNERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT. WINE INDUSTRY SA YOUNG WINE SHOW CJP Chemicals Laffort South Africa Vinochem Specialities DAIRY INDUSTRY QUALITÉ Condio Lake Foods Mane SA Octofin Consult PHT Trading International Woolworths Milk Producers Organisation (MPO) & AgriConnect SA CHEESE FESTIVAL Western Cape Department of Agriculture Président Standard Bank Checkers ABSA Stella Artois Drostdy Hof Stellenbosch Vineyards Wesgro MPO & AgriConnect Waterloo Promotions Linton Park Carmién Tea Ladismith Cheese Karibu Restaurant Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts Afrox Tecko Packaging Snappy Chef Oasis Water Willow Creek Taurus Kitchen Westvaal Somerset West Continental China KykNET Heart FM HSV Hospitality Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa The Devon Valley Hotel Pontac Manor Life & Leisure City of Cape Town Die Burger Landbouweekblad Eikestadnuus MyKitchen LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY AGRI-EXPO LIVESTOCK Western Cape Department of Agriculture Biomin Landbank Santam FNB Standard Bank Parmalat Old Mutual Insure GEA Kaap Agri Old Mutual Afgri Unistel MPO & AgriConnect Nedbank Sealed Air Andries Engelbrecht Meadow Feeds Nedbank Tecko Packaging Life & Leisure Westvaal Somerset West Oasis Water Spar Rhodes Food Group Mr Overall Landbouweekblad Plaas Media Bok Radio US WOORDFEES Carmién Tea Fairview Merino SA Shiraz SA Skaapvleis SA SEE PROJECT WEBSITES FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF PARTNERS PARTNERS I

15 P E R S O N N E L Agri-Expo is privileged to function with a dynamic staff corps. Each individual contributes to the professionalism with which each project is conducted and is definitely the core of the Society's successes. This year, this dynamic was further expanded through the appointment of Charlotte Sandenbergh as Events Assistant. Isabeau Botha, Corporate Communication Manager of Agri-Expo, received the Pro-Agri Award as Agricultural Writer of the Year in October 2017 for her motivation of Charles Back as Farmer of the Year. The award, a trophy and a cash prize sponsored by Investec, was handed over at the SA Agricultural Writers' Association's 2017 National Awards ceremony in Bloemfontein during which Back was appointed as National Farmer of the Year. Major challenges are faced by staff members during the presentation of projects, 13 to 18 hours working days before and during projects, and absenteeism from households on weekends. Agri-Expo is grateful for this incredible commitment and has sincere appreciation for every staff member and temporary worker who contributes unselfishly in this way to providing a service to agriculture. F I N A N C E S Over the last 12 months the markets have been plagued with an increase in volatility and uncertainty, mainly locally. The year 2017 was characterized by a background of steady world growth, low inflation and accommodative monetary policy, which contributed to broad positive movements in asset prices. Emerging markets surprised, driven mainly by technology stocks that at the same time became the index's largest sector. Unfortunately, South African investors are not rewarded enough for investment in growth assets, with the strengthening rand and our own low economic growth rates. Cyril Ramaphosa, appointed president of South Africa in February 2018, began his presidency with an inspiring state-of-the-art speech that gives an inclusive vision of the future for all South Africans as well as a promise of increased government accountability. He worked quickly to stop fiscal decay and the February budget included a 1% VAT increase. His cabinet changes include the appointment of the highly respected Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Public Enterprises. Furthermore, many of the ministers who were most involved in the state capture were removed. Moody's has consequently upgraded the prospects for SA's sovereign debt from negative to stable. The Reserve Bank also reduced interest rates by quarter of a percentage by the end of March Apart from global developments, local events have begun to reflect a slightly more realistic picture after the relative euphoria of the past few months. South Africa's economic growth was -2.2% in the first quarter and also shrank by 0.7% in the second quarter, thereby plunging the country into a technical recession. There is also a great deal of skepticism about continued reforms, with concerns about land reform, state finances and management, as well as about wage increases in the public sector. Despite the challenges over the past 12 months, we are pleased that Agri-Expo's investment inflation outperformed with more than 2%. The investment prospects seem acceptable with much volatility. CONCLUSION The 2017/2018 financial year had many challenges, but also produced wonderful highlights and successes, despite difficult economic conditions. Each staff member tackled the existing and new projects with vigor and enthusiasm and elevated the profile of Agri-Expo events to a higher level with their creative thinking and teamwork. We are looking forward to the planned initiatives and actions for 2018/2019 that will place the Society's role and function in the public eye, in a striking and sustainable manner. PERSONNEL I CONCLUSION I