South Africa’s agricultural exports hit an all-time high of $13.7 billion in 2024, marking a 3% increase from the previous year, according to Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz). The surge was driven by a combination of higher commodity prices and increased production volumes.
Diverse Agricultural Export Basket
South Africa’s export portfolio remained diverse, with fruits such as citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts, avocados, and berries leading the way. Wine was also among the top exports. Additionally, maize, wool, and red meat played a crucial role in sustaining the country’s export growth.
Sihlobo highlighted that Africa remains the largest market for South African agricultural products, accounting for 44% of total exports. The Middle East and Asia collectively absorbed 21%, while the European Union (EU) took 19%.
- Europe primarily imports fruit and wine.
- The Middle East and Asia purchase red meat, wool, grains, and fruit, with some wine reaching Asian markets.
- Africa remains a key destination for grains, apples, pears, and sugar.
The Americas, including the United States and Canada, accounted for 6% of exports, with the US alone taking 4%.
AGOA’s Impact on South African Agricultural Exports
Sihlobo emphasized the importance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in maintaining duty-free access for South African exports to the US. Key AGOA-supported exports include citrus, grapes, wine, fruit juices, and nuts.
“If AGOA were not renewed or if South Africa were excluded, we would face tariffs of about 3% under most-favored-nation terms,” Sihlobo warned. “This would make us less competitive in the US market, so ensuring continued access remains a priority.”
The United Kingdom (UK) was another major export destination, accounting for 7% of South Africa’s agricultural trade. “The UK is one of the most important single-country markets, with strong demand for fruit and wine,” Sihlobo added.
Agricultural Imports and Trade Surplus
On the import side, South Africa’s agricultural imports increased by 8% to $7.6 billion in 2024, driven by both higher prices and larger volumes. The country primarily imports wheat, rice, palm oil, poultry, and whiskey.
- Wheat imports remain necessary as South Africa can only produce half of its annual consumption due to environmental constraints.
- Rice and palm oil are 100% imported, as they are not produced locally.
- Poultry imports account for about 20% of domestic consumption.
- Whiskey is another notable agricultural import.
Despite challenges such as midsummer droughts and animal disease outbreaks, South Africa maintained a strong trade surplus of over $6 billion in 2024.
“You can only imagine how much higher our exports would have been without these challenges—we could have surpassed $14 billion,” Sihlobo remarked.
Outlook for 2025: Expanding and Securing Markets
Looking ahead, Sihlobo remains optimistic about 2025, with favorable conditions for farmers and strong export prospects. However, he stressed the need for continued collaboration between agribusinesses, organized agriculture, and government to retain existing markets and explore new opportunities.
“South Africa’s agricultural sector has proven remarkably resilient, but we must work diligently to secure and diversify our export markets,” he concluded.
