Agricultural economics is the study of how resources are allocated, production is managed and optimised, and goods and services are distributed within the agricultural sector. It involves analysing economic factors influencing agricultural value chains, including production, consumption, and the impact of policies on agricultural activities and markets.

The world of food production is interesting, important, and dynamic. Food is different in that it is consumed by people (it is not only consumed but becomes part of our very biological structure); it is produced without a roof over the “factory” (in other words in a risky environment) and is a sensitive commodity regarding trade. Moreover, an agricultural economist technically can do any job full-blown economists can, but not vice versa.

In our Department, we offer three-year and four-year degree options.

BAgric Agribusiness Management (focuses mainly on management)

BScAgric Agricultural Economic Analysis (focuses mainly on economics)

BScAgric Agricultural Economic Analysis & Management (has a combined focus on management and economics)

BScAgric Agricultural Economics with Food Science (combines food science with agricultural economics focused on economics)

BScAgric Agricultural Economic Analysis & Management with Food Science (combines food science with agricultural economics focus on economics and management)

The BScAgric options are all four-year degrees, and BAgric and BCom (offered by EMS) are three-year degrees. Full Mathematics is an entry requirement in all instances. All the options require the same agricultural economics modules to be completed, for the core not to change. The fourth year agricultural economics modules offered in the fourth year of the BScAgric programs are on offer for the BAgric and BCom students at honours level. All degrees require two full major subjects to be carried through to the final year, and the options here differ (refer to the yearbook). The BScAgric students can take a production-orientated science such as agronomy with agricultural economics; the BCom and BAgric options are limited to commerce, management, or economics subjects as majors in combination with agricultural economics.

An agricultural economist has several skills and competencies in science, business, finance, and economics and can thus be employed in various fields. Some of the more common employers would be the government (provincial and national), commercial banks, agribusinesses, producer organisations (Vinpro, Grain SA, Potato SA, etc.), exporters and logistics companies, and large farming operations. You can find more details in our brochure.

Our graduates work for various companies across the agricultural supply chain in various settings. Most of our work as agricultural economists happens on a computer that is supplemented by field visits, boardroom discussions, and research. You can find more details in our brochure.

Research, market analysis, procurement, credit applications evaluations and management, study groups, sales and marketing, logistics and transport planning and management, land valuation, human recourse management, strategists, banking, investment, trading, and teaching.

Yes. After completing the BCom or BAgric degree, you can enrol for our BAgric Hons. and can then progress to MAgric, which is a research degree. After completing the BScAgric degree, you can enrol for the MScAgric degree. This is a structured masters that contains one year of course work followed by the research component.

From all the study options and areas our students are accepted at a wide range of international universities. Those in Europe, North America and Australia are popular destinations. In terms of work, our students are successful in all countries, but especially so in Africa.