TRADE PERFORMANCE UNIT

1 .   TRADE PERFORMANCE

Recent geopolitics and possible exclusion of South Africa from the AGOA has brought a sharp focus on trade related matters. Specifically for sectors that are export oriented such as the agricultural sector. The agricultural export revenue continues to increase, setting new records in 2021, 2022, 2023, and most recently in 2024. The effort put forth by farmers of all sizes nationwide to produce fruits, livestock, and grains, to mention a few, is reflected in Figure 1. The bar graph depicts South Africa’s agricultural trade in 2024. Data from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the United Nations (UN) Conference on Trade & Development, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) indicate that South Africa’s agricultural exports in 2024 reached new a record of $13.7 billion, or R251 billion, up 3.6% from $13.2 billion, or R244.0 billion, the year before.

Although South Africa is a major exporter of agricultural products, both in Africa and globally, it also imports some of its essential staples. The overall value of agricultural imports in 2024 was $7.4 billion, or R136.3 billion, which was 7.3% more than the $6.9 billion, or R128.1 billion, in 2023.

Figure 1:   South Africa’s agricultural trade trends

Source:   Trade Map, 2025

1 .1   Top exportable agricultural products in 2024

Table 1 below depicts the top products South Africa exported in 2024 against 2023. Grapes were the biggest product that South Africa exported to the global market in 2024, valued at $818.8 million, or R14.9 billion, up 36.8% year over year after drought-induced declines in maize output resulted in lower exports of maize (see Table 1). Maize exports were value at $814.7 million, oranges brought in $774.0 million, mandarins exports were $588.1 million, and apples brought in $575.1 million. Among the top exports in 2024 were wine, avocados, lemons, wool, sugar, and other noteworthy goods. This increase in export revenues in 2024 could be attributed to several variables such as improved grain prices, increased volumes of other products, and improvement is seed genetics as noticed in improved product quality for new farmers in the raisins agribusiness.

Table 1: South African agricultural top exports, in value (USD)

Source:   Trade Map, 2025 and NAMC calculations

1 .2   Top imported agricultural products in 2024

Table 2 presents top agricultural imports by South Africa. Unlike exports, the trend in imports is consistent primarily because South Africa is fully dependent on the global market for consumption of commodities such as rice, wheat and palm oil. Imports for wheat are determined by several factors, including local output, which is normally determined by climatic conditions during the production season.

Rice was the most popular agricultural product that South Africa imported in 2024, totalling $642.9 million, or R11.7 billion, up 3.5% from the previous year (see Tabe 2). Rice was followed by wheat ($536.6 million), palm oil ($500.2 million), food preparations ($230.3 million), sugar ($206.0 million), and sunflower oil ($175.7 million). Other prominent agricultural imports include beer, maize, apple juice, chicken, whisky, and offal.

Table 2: South African agricultural top imports, in value (USD)

Source:   Trade Map, 2025 and NAMC calculations

2.   TRADE RELATIONS

2.1   South Africa’s agricultural products export destination by region

Figure 1 presents South Africa’s agricultural exports by regions of the world in 2024. At least 190 countries throughout the world received over 700 South Africa’s various agricultural products in exports in 2024. In terms of value, the African continent continued to be a major market. About 44% in 2024 was destined for the African export market.

Europe which included United Kingdom (UK) was the second-largest market with 29%. Asia came in third, making up 21% of South Africa’s total agricultural exports to the global market in 2024. Americas came in fourth position with 6% of the total, with the rest of the world accounting for the remaining portion.

Figure 2:   South Africa’s agricultural products export destination by region

Source:   ITC, 2025

3.   CLOSING REMARKS

The continual improvement in the trade performance of the agricultural sector will depend on the efforts to invest in bulk infrastructure to mitigate supply chain inefficiencies. South Africa faces infrastructure challenges that compromises competitiveness. These challenges include unreliable transport network, inefficient port operations and aging cold storage facilities. Similarly, mitigating the biosecurity challenges on the livestock side. The public-private partnership (PPP) geared to invest in modernising rail logistics and upgrading port facilities is a step in the right direction. A shift of transportation mode for agricultural products from the road network to freight system is likely to enhance competitiveness. Intermittent energy supply is another acute factor that compromises the competitiveness of the sector.

Diversification of export markets is critical during the current period of global uncertainties and instability due to geopolitics. Diversification should be coupled with maintaining existing markets. Securing export markets requires sustained and focused efforts by all and sundry in the ecosystem as per the aspirations of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP).

Compiled by:

Thabile Nkunjana

Victor Thindisa

Enquiries: Solly Molepo: +27 12 341-1115 or smoleponamc.co.za

© 2025. Published by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC).

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