by Wandile Sihlobo | Mar 19, 2023 | Agricultural Trade
Despite BRICS not being a trade bloc, its economic cooperation arrangement offers South Africa a strategic platform to advance its trade interests. The agricultural sector is interested in this grouping, mainly in advancing exports into China and India. These countries already import a sizable volume and value of agricultural products from the world market, and South African businesses want to join these suppliers.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Mar 4, 2023 | Agricultural Trade
These robust exports have enabled South Africa to retain its position as a net exporter of agricultural products over time. In 2022, South Africa’s agricultural exports reached US$12.8 billion, up 4% from the previous year.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Feb 21, 2023 | Agricultural Trade
Despite various headwinds throughout the year, South Africa’s agriculture exports for 2022 did not decline as much as some feared. Data for the first eleven months of the year show exports at a cumulative US$11,9 billion, up by 3% from the same period in 2021.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Feb 12, 2023 | Agricultural Trade
The main interest of SA agriculture and agribusiness within BRICS is to advance agricultural exports, specifically to China and India. These are countries that have relatively solid economic growth prospects and large populations (and therefore markets).
by Wandile Sihlobo | Dec 18, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
In the third quarter of 2022, the value of South Africa’s agricultural exports — food, fibre, and beverages — amounted to $3,7bn, up 10% year on year. The main factors underpinning this are sizeable agricultural output in the 2021/22 production season and higher commodity prices.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Dec 13, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
South Africa’s agricultural growth path needs a focused trade policy strategy, but this should not be at the expense of existing agreements that have sustained the sector over the years.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Oct 11, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
One major challenge that emerged this past week that directly impacts South Africa’s agriculture is labour-related tensions at Transnet. The logistics utility declared a force majeure at its port operations last week, citing an illegal strike.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Oct 6, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
South Africa’s agricultural exports are vulnerable because of reliance on a few markets and weaknesses in domestic logistics chains.