South Africa must push agricultural exports within BRICS

Loading player...
South Africa has an export-led agricultural sector, with exports having been a major catalyst in the sector’s growth over the past three decades. But rising geopolitical tensions have introduced new risks, leading to an increased need for the country to diversify its export agricultural markets.

In this podcast, we argue that South Africa should expand market access to some key BRICS countries, such as China, India, Egypt, and Saudia Arabia.

Other strategic export markets for South Africa's agricultural sector include South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. Currently, the significant challenges in these markets are high import tariffs and phytosanitary barriers. Listen to the podcast for more.

My writing on agricultural economic matters is available on my blog: https://wandilesihlobo.com/

This podcast is produced by Richard Humphries, Sam Mkokeli, Nelisiwe Tshabalala, and Amanda Murimba
19 Oct 2024 English South Africa Investing · Food

Other recent episodes

The troubling decline of the South African sorghum industry

Whenever one posts on social media about the challenges in the maize industry, I often see responses from people arguing that South Africans should consume more sorghum. They correctly highlight the nutritious value of the crop and its resilience in challenging climatic conditions. But with all these benefits, the sorghum…
12 Jan 12 min

South Africa's agriculture in 2024 and outlook for 2025

We can view 2024 in South Africa's agriculture as a "mixed" year. Indeed, the GDP figures will show a sharp contraction in South Africa's agricultural fortunes in 2024. But a deep dive will illuminate a more nuanced picture of mixed performance. For example, the field crops and livestock subsectors had…
6 Jan 12 min

SA sees robust agricultural exports

I am starting to believe that South Africa’s 2024 agricultural exports may reach a new record high and surpass the 2023 record level of US$13, 2 billion. The better prices and output in various fruits, red meat, wool, and wine will be the major driver of the improvement in exports…
13 Dec 2024 13 min

There is rising optimism in South Africa’s farming sector

We continue to observe the rising optimism in South Africa’s farming and agribusiness sectors. For example, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), a sentiment indicator in the sector, increased by 10 points from Q3 to 58 in Q4. This is the second consecutive improvement, placing the ACI at its highest…
9 Dec 2024 15 min

South Africa eases a path for possible maize imports from the US

South Africa’s decision to ease possible maize imports from the U.S. is not necessarily bad. It is a “safety option” in recognition that our white maize supplies are tight. We also face strong demand from broader Southern Africa, whose maize production is down massively because of the drought earlier this…
1 Dec 2024 16 min