South Africa’s agricultural export sector has reached a new milestone, with total agricultural exports climbing to R268.7 billion by the end of 2025, according to newly disclosed government data highlighting the country’s expanding role in global food markets.
The figures, released this week, represent year-on-year growth of about 9% compared with the R243.7 billion recorded in 2024, underscoring strong global demand for South African food products despite rising trade tensions and tariff pressures in some markets.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the performance reflects a deliberate strategy to broaden export markets and strengthen the resilience of the country’s food value chain.
Diversifying Global Food Markets
While the United States recently introduced 30% tariffs on certain imports — causing South African agricultural exports to the US to fall by 36% in the fourth quarter of 2025 — the sector offset those losses by expanding shipments to other regions.
Africa remains South Africa’s largest export destination, accounting for about 53% of agricultural trade, followed by:
- Asia and the Middle East: 17%
- European Union: 16%
- Other global markets: 14%
Several regions recorded particularly strong growth during the year:
- Exports to the United Kingdom increased 21%
- Trade with BRICS+ countries rose 31%
- Exports to the EU expanded 9%
- Trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) grew 8%
The diversification strategy is increasingly central to the country’s food export model as geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies reshape global supply chains.
High-Value Food Products Driving Export Growth
South Africa’s export basket continues to be dominated by high-value horticultural products, with fruits and nuts accounting for approximately 26% of total agricultural exports.
Other major export commodities include:
- Citrus
- Table grapes
- Apples and pears
- Berries
- Maize
- Wine
- Sugar
- Fruit juice
- Wool
These industries rely heavily on integrated value chains that include irrigation systems, cold-chain logistics, and modern packhouse infrastructure, allowing producers to maintain export quality standards across long shipping distances.
Investment in Processing and Irrigation Infrastructure
The growth in exports has been supported by targeted investments under South Africa’s Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, which has mobilised R1.2 billion in public-private funding for irrigation upgrades and packhouse expansion.
These upgrades are already improving efficiency across the food supply chain. According to government estimates, the investments have helped reduce post-harvest losses by approximately 15% since 2024, strengthening both profitability and food security.
Market access negotiations are also opening new export routes. South Africa recently secured stone fruit export access to China, while the first shipment of South African table grapes to the Philippines has already been dispatched.
Employment and Economic Impact
The export expansion is translating directly into employment growth across the agricultural value chain.
Statistics South Africa data shows the sector added around 30,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing total employment in agriculture to roughly 950,000 people.
Although primary agriculture contributes about 2.8% of South Africa’s GDP, the broader food and agricultural value chain — including processing, logistics, and distribution — accounts for roughly 14% of the country’s R7.34 trillion economy.
The combination of rising exports, infrastructure investment, and market diversification is positioning South Africa as one of the most competitive food export hubs in the Global South.
