Agri-business
From Field to Future
At Urban-Econ, we create smart, sustainable growth solutions in the agriculture and agro-processing sectors. With over 40 years of experience, we provide solid research and strategic planning to unlock the true potential of regions. This includes work in agro-economics, agricultural beneficiation, and the support and training of smallholder farmers and co-operatives.
From farm audits and feasibility studies to business plans and impact assessments, we offer practical, down-to-earth solutions that empower agribusinesses and strengthen value chains across the country.
Services
01
Agricultural Resource Assessment
02
Identification of Development Potential
03
Industry Review
04
Market Demand Assessment
05
Market Research & Economic Analysis
06
Sustainable Agricultural Planning
07
Project Development & Implementation
08
Policy & Regulatory Frameworks
09
Value Chain Mapping & Assessment
10
Enabling Environment Assessment
11
Strategic Interventions towards Value Chain Integration
12
Socio-Economic & Sectoral Profiling
13
Integrated Strategy Development & Master Planning
14
Programme & Project Evaluation
Flagship Projects
Part Study on the Cost of Compliance and Role of Women within the Essential and Vegetable Oil Industry (2025)
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Location: South Africa
Urban-Econ Development Economists was contracted by UNIDO to conduct a situational analysis of the South African essential and vegetable oil industry as part of Phase II of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). The study focused on two key aspects: the cost of compliance for SMEs and the role of women in the value chain.
The research aimed to identify barriers to market access by assessing the financial burden of meeting international quality standards and exploring alternative models, such as cooperatives and clusters, to reduce compliance costs. It also examined how improved access to information and training could support SMEs in adopting sustainable quality management systems. Additionally, the study highlighted the significant contributions of women in the sector, identifying challenges they face and proposing measures to enhance inclusivity and gender equality. Key Tasks Conducted by the Project Team:
Industry Situational Analysis - Assessed market trends, key stakeholders, competitiveness, and regulatory frameworks.
Stakeholder Engagement - Conducted interviews, workshops, and webinars with producers, processors, and regulators.
Gap Analysis on Women’s Role - Evaluate women’s participation, challenges, and opportunities for inclusion.
Comparative Compliance Cost Study - Analysed costs across production models and identified cost reduction strategies.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Assessment - Examined support structures, financial services, and digital tools for SMEs.
The findings were compiled into two reports, one addressing compliance costs and the other focusing on women's empowerment, providing practical recommendations to improve SME participation, sustainability, and market competitiveness in the essential and vegetable oil industry.
GDARDE Feasibility Studies and Business Plans for a Period of 4 Years (2019-2023)
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Location: Gauteng
Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd was appointed by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (GDARDE) as the service provider to develop 150 feasibility studies and 150 business plans for enterprises in the Gauteng Province. The appointment included both primary production and agro-processing enterprises. In terms of primary production, the main commodities included livestock (pigs, poultry, cattle, cattle), grains (maize, soya, sunflower), or horticulture (vegetables and mushrooms). Whereas the agro-processing enterprises focused mostly on vegetable, meat, and grain processing. Each business plan included a detailed financial model with a ten-year cash flow forecast.
Urban-Econ successfully completed the assignment, which covered the following aspects:
Visiting 150 projects as part of the initiation phase of the individual projects.
To conduct feasibility studies for 150 agriculture and agro-processing projects as identified by GDARDE.
To develop 150 business plans for projects identified as feasible.
Capacity building to Agricultural Economic Services Officials associated with the programme, training provided was on report writing, business plan and feasibility study development, steps on how to develop a questionnaire, and how to develop a financial model.
To plan and budget for monthly progress project meetings.
To provide monthly reports that reflect expenditure patterns and project progress on project implementation and execution as per the phase of each deliverable.
Lesotho Commercial Agricultural Feasibility Assessments (2019)
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Location: Lesotho
Urban-Econ Development Economists was appointed by the Lesotho National Development Corporation to review the beef industry as well as to develop feasibility studies for the poultry (broiler and layer) dairy, and piggery sectors in Lesotho respectively. The four (4) individual reports focus on the current stance of the various industries in Lesotho. The team also undertook case study reviews on best practices in various countries with similar dynamics as Lesotho to get an idea of the capabilities of the country. Lesotho’s results were benchmarked against international best practices to highlight their stance in the market. After key role-players were identified and the team also consulted stakeholder engagements with the main stakeholders identified to gather primary information on the various sectors.
The team further conducted secondary research to identify all the possible gaps and opportunities along the various value chains. From the gaps and the opportunities identified the team then identified short-, medium, and long terms opportunities that the LNDC could focus on that would ensure the commercialisation of the industries, The team conducted various site visits to identify possible sites for the projects identified, Environmental assessments and resources assessments were done in order to recommend the correct sites for development. Furthermore, the team developed high level financial to highlight the viability, feasibility, and profitability of each of the short-term development projects identified. The cost of operation was also calculated and an implementation plan linking to specific timeframes.
SASA Molasses Notional Price Determination (2022)
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Location: South Africa
Urban-Econ Development Economists was appointed by the South African Sugar Association (SASA) to conduct an independent review assessment of the value-chain analysis and determination of the fair value of sugarcane molasses in South Africa. The project’s objective was to undertake a comprehensive review of the molasses market and associated dynamics in South Africa to achieve an objective and credible recommendation for the notional local market price of molasses.
The project entailed the following:
Determine the size of the molasses market in South Africa, segmented by the different types/qualities of molasses.
Quantify the amount and type (quality) of molasses used by various sectors in South Africa. Provide a comparison of South African-produced molasses versus imported molasses.
Assess the importation of molasses into South Africa and identify main sources and prices.
Understand the volumes and prices of molasses available for import from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
Provide an estimated export parity price for molasses.
Propose a notional local market price for molasses to be used for the 2021/2022 season.
