Agricultural Sector
The finalists in the Agricultural Sector represent the diverse range of quality agricultural goods that KwaZulu-Natal is renowned for producing. The 2008 Top Businesses are Illovo Sugar Limited, NCT Forestry Co-operative Ltd, the Stables Wine Estate, Tongaat Hulett Limited, and Orange Grove Dairy.
These diverse operations cover forestry, sugar cane, dairy farming, and the new and exciting addition of wine farming. All of these world class companies are to be commended not only on their contribution to the economy, but also to their role in uplifting the communities where their businesses operate. While saluting these companies on their achievements in the sector it is important to acknowledge that there is tremendous potential for agricultural expansion in KwaZulu-Natal. It has been conservatively estimated that if the agricultural natural resources were optimally managed, the present production yield could be increased dramatically.