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Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
SA farm exports to US rise 19% in Q1, a green sprout amid frosty diplomacy
An important point that emerges from this data is that if the fictional 'white genocide' and land seizures of Trump's imagination were actually unfolding, then South African commercial farmers – who are mostly white – would not be in a position to grow their exports to markets such as the US. South Africa's agricultural exports to the US increased 19% in the first quarter (Q1) of this year compared with the same period in 2024, according to data from Trade Map, which was crunched by the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) and released on Monday. It is an interesting trend that highlights several important points against the backdrop of a frosty diplomatic landscape amid US President Donald Trump's false claims about a 'white genocide' and the ruthless persecution of white farmers, which was on full display during his recent White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. For starters, as South Africa faces the prospect of exclusion from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) – which provides preferential treatment to the US market for eligible countries – it is clear that there is American demand for agricultural products grown or made here. Specifically, these products are mainly citrus, grapes, wine, and fruit juices – South African products that could surely grow in the massive US market. Some might see America as a fairly small market in the broader scheme of things, with the 19% year-on-year rise in Q1 only amounting to $202-million – 6% of all South African agricultural exports in that period, which grew 10% to $3.36-billion. But 6% is material: this slow-growth, high-unemployment economy needs to pluck any fruit it can – and this stuff is low-hanging. Americans love citrus and fruit juice, a point underscored by the fact that global prices for these products are heavily influenced by the New York-based OJ futures market. Another important point that emerges from this data is that if the fictional 'white genocide' and land seizures of Trump's imagination were actually unfolding, then South African commercial farmers – who are mostly white – would not be in a position to grow their exports to markets such as the US. What this means: South Africa's commercial agricultural sector is a budding rose among the thorns of this moribund economy. It needs continued access to markets such as the US to grow and create badly needed jobs and investment opportunities while bringing in export revenue to help support the rand. South African farmers can find other markets, but the US, as the world's largest economy, remains the big prize. This does not mean that South Africa's agricultural sector isn't facing a range of serious political, economic and environmental challenges. The Expropriation Act is a red flag for South Africa's commercial farmers and investors more widely. That there are still glaring disparities in ownership – with only about 25% of farmland now in the hands of black South Africans, according to Agbiz estimates – is largely a reflection of state failure and dithering, corruption and incompetence under the ANC. Still, even in the face of other challenges such as climate change, South Africa's agricultural sector is prospering, a narrative at odds with Trump's view that a Zimbabwe-style mass land grab is under way. Americans clearly want to drink South African wine and fruit juice, and farmers here can meet that demand. Instead, Trump's racist resentment threatens to reap a bitter harvest from what should be fields of hope. BM
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Empowering women entrepreneurs in Pakistan: TDAP organises workshop on market analysis tools in Sialkot
SIALKOT: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Women Entrepreneur Division, in collaboration with Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, successfully organized a hands-on training workshop on 'Market Analysis Tools – Trade Map' on 22nd May 2025 in Sialkot. This initiative aimed to strengthen the export potential of women entrepreneurs by equipping them with practical skills to analyze international markets using the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Trade Map, which is a widely used resource for market intelligence, competitor benchmarking, and export planning. The session was conducted by Mahina Ghalib, Deputy Director, TDAP, and featured an in-depth exploration of HS Codes and Trade Map functionalities, followed by practical training to help participants identify export destinations, track global trade flows, and assess market demand. Participants were also provided with manuals and resources to deepen their understanding of the platform beyond the session. Around 30 entrepreneurs took part in the training, engaging actively in discussions and exercises. The interactive nature of the workshop encouraged questions and personalized feedback, ensuring participants walked away with relevant and applicable knowledge. This workshop is part of TDAP's ongoing, targeted capacity-building series for women entrepreneurs. Following the successful trainings in Faisalabad and Sialkot, the next session in this series is scheduled to be held in Lahore. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Empowering women entrepreneurs: TDAP organises workshop on market analysis tools in Sialkot
SIALKOT: Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Women Entrepreneur Division, in collaboration with Sialkot Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, successfully organized a hands-on training workshop on 'Market Analysis Tools – Trade Map' on 22nd May 2025 in Sialkot. This initiative aimed to strengthen the export potential of women entrepreneurs by equipping them with practical skills to analyze international markets using the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Trade Map, which is a widely used resource for market intelligence, competitor benchmarking, and export planning. The session was conducted by Mahina Ghalib, Deputy Director, TDAP, and featured an in-depth exploration of HS Codes and Trade Map functionalities, followed by practical training to help participants identify export destinations, track global trade flows, and assess market demand. Participants were also provided with manuals and resources to deepen their understanding of the platform beyond the session. Around 30 entrepreneurs took part in the training, engaging actively in discussions and exercises. The interactive nature of the workshop encouraged questions and personalized feedback, ensuring participants walked away with relevant and applicable knowledge. This workshop is part of TDAP's ongoing, targeted capacity-building series for women entrepreneurs. Following the successful trainings in Faisalabad and Sialkot, the next session in this series is scheduled to be held in Lahore. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Mail & Guardian
14-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Cheers! Excellent wine grape harvest signifies recovery in SA agriculture
Excellent harvest expected this year. We have been saying for some time that 2025 will be a recovery year for South Africa's agriculture, mainly highlighting the gains in grains, soybeans and horticulture yields. But I was particularly pleased on 8 May, when I received a report from SA Wine and Vinpro forecasts South Africa's wine grapes harvest to be The essence captured by this statement from SA Wine: 'Mild, dry weather created near-perfect ripening conditions, yielding fruit with superb balance, flavour and structure — the foundation of premium wine production.' With the harvest like this, our preoccupation for the coming months will continue to be the export markets and logistics. Indeed, the US market has dominated the trade conversation in recent weeks. However, long before President Donald Trump's tariffs, the South African wine industry and the entire agricultural sector had been focused on expanding export markets beyond the existing ones. South Africa's agricultural sector is export-oriented, with exports reaching a record $13,7 billion in 2024, up 3% from the previous year, according to data from Trade Map. This reflects both an increase in the volume of agricultural exports and the higher prices of some products. The top exported products by value include citrus; grapes; maize; apples and pears; wine; nuts; fruit juices; sugar; berries; dates; pineapples; avocados; wool; apricots and peaches; ciders and beef. The focus on broadening export markets becomes even more urgent as we continue to see better quality and volumes in wine and other agricultural product output. One of the primary areas we focus on is China, which has a large population and buying power. The country accounts for 11% of global agricultural imports. However, the South African agricultural sector, specifically the wine industry, faces some constraints. For example, we face tariffs of 14% on wine exports to China, while our competitors, such as Australia, face 0% duties as they have a trade agreement with China. We have been vocal about such issues for some time. At present it is even more urgent and appropriate to open new markets, as China also looks to increase its agricultural trade with South Africa. So, as we engage the US, China, EU, UK, and many other trading partners, we should ensure we maintain existing relationships and broaden to new areas with a promise of delivering high-quality products, such as the exceptional wines that South African producers are promising to deliver. Overall, this promising wine grape harvest signifies the recovery of South Africa's agriculture. And yes, we have quality issues in the grain sector because of the excessive rains. Still, overall, we view this as a better year. Thus, South African agricultural exports could reach a fresh high in 2025, surpassing the $13,7 billion we saw in 2024. This assumes better commodity prices, in addition to the promising volumes. Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa.
News24
21-04-2025
- Business
- News24
Zelensky is in SA this week. Why wheat should be on the agenda
Wandile Sihlobo explains why there is room for a deeper conversation about how South Africa could import more wheat from Ukraine. We will have our Ukrainian friends in Pretoria this week. A range of geopolitical matters will undoubtedly be the primary focus of the leadership of both countries during this working visit by the president of Ukraine. However, there will be business engagements on the sidelines or days leading up to the visit. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky may visit South Africa accompanied by senior government officials from the economic sector. Such conversations may be about forming connections to support Ukraine as it navigates the war and explores long-term business opportunities in the post-war world, whenever that day comes. We already see some countries, such as the United States, exploring potential commercial interests in Ukraine through a possible agreement on developing Ukraine's mineral resources. Of course, South Africa should be under no pressure to explore such ambitious commercial interests with Ukraine like the United States. However, the question that may arise is whether there are potential long-term agricultural trade relations that our countries could establish in the future. Both Ukraine and South Africa are net exporters of agricultural products. Ukraine's agricultural exports are approximately $21 billion (R395 billion) per year, according to data from Trade Map. These exports are mainly comprised of sunflower oil, maize, wheat, canola, soybeans, poultry products, barley, and sugar, among other products. China, India, the Netherlands, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Poland, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, and Saudi Arabia are among Ukraine's key agricultural export markets. South Africa does not feature prominently. It ranks as the 93rd largest agricultural market for Ukraine. This marginal import from Ukraine is understandable, as South Africa is generally a farming powerhouse, boasting an agricultural trade surplus of $6.2 billion in 2024. Importantly, when one examines South Africa's agricultural import basket of $7.6 billion in 2024, the dominant products are wheat, palm oil, rice, poultry, and whiskies. (South Africa's agricultural exports were valued at $13.7 billion - R258 billion - in 2024). This composition of South Africa's agricultural imports partly explains why the country would not feature prominently on Ukraine's agricultural import list. Still, there is room for a deeper conversation about how South Africa could import more wheat from Ukraine, provided the quality and price are acceptable to private businesses. South Africa imports about half of its annual wheat consumption, about 1.8 million tonnes. Ukraine is not a prominent key wheat supplier in South Africa. For example, in the 2024-25 marketing year, South Africa imported about 904 344 tonnes of wheat at the end of the first week of April 2025. The seasonal import forecast is 1.80 million tonnes. So far, the largest wheat suppliers by share are Russia (with 41% share), Lithuania (22%), Poland (10%), Latvia (9%), Australia (7%), Canada (6%) and Romania (5%). Of course, these are private dealings, as the South African government correctly refrains from intervening in food markets. It is for this reason, then, that at the sidelines of government meetings, Ukrainian officials, amongst other things, may have to engage with South African businesses so that, post-war, they too can feature prominently on South Africa's wheat import lists. Among the other agricultural products South Africa imports, Ukraine may have limited room to supply, as these are not among its key export products. From a South African perspective, the Ukrainian agricultural imports list includes a few products that South Africa also exports. For example, Ukraine spends about $5.5 billion annually on agricultural products. These are mainly spirits, citrus, coffee, tobacco, cheese, wine, banana, chocolate, and palm oil, amongst other products. The countries that primarily supply these products to Ukraine include Poland, Italy, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, China, Spain, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hungary. While a major producer and exporter of citrus and wine, South Africa isn't the primary supplier of these products to Ukraine. These are the key products that could be worth mentioning in the future. Aside from these, limited business-to-business interactions in agriculture may be key, except to express support for Ukraine as it navigates a challenging time of protracted war. Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and author of three books. His latest book is ' '. News 24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.
