The global economy is facing substantial headwinds, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the weak outlook limits their ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty. This challenging context is compounded by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable global trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries, including those in fragile and conflict situations. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To unlock job creation and long-term growth, reforms should focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labour markets. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank. Click here to read full report.

The future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is far from certain. Discussions around its renewal remain stalled amid shifting US political priorities, rising economic protectionism, and changing global trade dynamics. This uncertainty highlights a broader concern: African countries may no longer be able to rely on external trade preferences as a foundation for their development strategies. Rather than viewing this moment as a crisis, it could serve as an opportunity to shift focus toward self-reliance, regional integration, and expanded South-South cooperation. On June 12, 2025, China announced it would extend duty-free market access to 53 African countries, eliminating tariffs on 98 percent of taxable products originating from these nations. The arrangement applies to both least-developed and middle-income countries, making it one of the most extensive preferential trade offers Africa has received from a major global economy. The announcement comes just weeks before Agoa's scheduled expiry in September, unless the US Congress intervenes. Click here to read full article. Click here to read China’s new trade offer exploits Washington’s tariffs on African economies. 

After a notable uptick in Q1 2025, the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell by 5 points in Q2 2025 to 65. Most respondents pointed to the uncertain global trade environment, lingering geopolitical tensions, and the domestic animal disease challenge as some of the key factors constraining the sector. Despite the slight decline, the current level of the ACI, implies that South African agribusinesses remain optimistic about business conditions in the country. The better summer rains and improvements at the ports which have enabled exports with minimal interruptions, are some of the positives. This survey was conducted in the second week of June, covering various agribusinesses operating in all agricultural subsectors across South Africa. The ACI comprises ten subindices; six of them declined in Q2 2025, while the rest remained unchanged. Here is the detailed view of the subindices. The turnover subindex confidence is down by 5 points to 55 in Q2 2025. We observed a deterioration in sentiment among agribusinesses operating in the red meat sector, while others maintained a roughly unchanged view from the previous quarter. Click here to read full report by Wandile Sihlobo.

The Expropriation Act remains a source of controversy, with looming court challenges and differing interpretations of various sections of the Act. Ultimately, only the courts can provide an authoritative interpretation of Act's provisions, and litigation should therefore be welcomed if it can bring greater clarity. It is important to note that the Expropriation Act did not bring about expropriation in the public interest, it is provided for in section 25 of the Constitution which reads: “Property may be expropriated only in terms of law of general application ­ a. for a public purpose or in the public interest; and b. subject to compensation, the amount of which and the time and manner of payment of which have either been agreed to by those affected or decided or approved by a court.” The 1975 Expropriation Act did not provide for the protection or compensation for unregistered rights in land. Typically, these would be short-term leases, rights of residence of, for example farm workers and off-register land rights in townships and old homeland areas. Click here to read full article by Agbiz Head of Legal Intelligence Annelize Crosby.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has proposed the creation of a Transformation Fund, envisioned as a R100 billion initiative to drive inclusive economic growth and address persistent inequality. The Fund aims to pool public and private resources including contributions of up to 3% of net profit after tax (NPAT) from companies to support black-owned businesses, township- and rural enterprises, and youth employment. The Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), among other voices in the private sector, have welcomed the Fund’s intention but raised serious concerns about its structure, feasibility, and overlap with existing efforts. Agbiz notes that while transformation in agriculture has been slow. Many agribusinesses are already investing significantly in black empowerment through Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD), blended finance, and internship programmes. The proposed Fund could amplify these efforts but should avoid duplicating what already works. Click here to read full article by Thapelo Machaba, Agbiz Agricultural Economist and Policy Analyst. 

In this episode of AgriView with Wandile, we unpack some of the most pressing issues and developments in South African agriculture. We explore the country’s ongoing struggle with foot-and-mouth disease and its impact on livestock and trade. The episode also covers South Africa’s agricultural trade performance and economic trends for the first quarter of 2025, offering insights into export dynamics and sector growth. To round off, we dive into an unexpected but fascinating topic: the role of the fashion industry in supporting South African farming and rural economies. Click here to watch.

We are contacting you from the nicely cold Western Cape, where we are seeing some of our members. The mood is upbeat, and we hear the new winter cereal and oilseed crop looks great in most regions. It is raining, and more people are already talking about the hopes of continuous nice showers to boost the crop – that is optimism. We also thought it was important to share these brief notes on the food inflation data released earlier today. South Africa's consumer food price inflation accelerated in May 2025. South Africa's consumer food price inflation has continued to accelerate; however, this should not be a concern, as the recent upticks are in line with expectations and may be short-lived. The data released earlier today by Statistics South Africa shows that consumer food price inflation accelerated to 4.4% in May from 3.3% in April 2025. The acceleration in price inflation of meat, fish, and other seafood, oils and fats, fruit and nuts, and vegetables mainly underpinned the uptick. Meanwhile, the other products remained roughly unchanged, while others experienced slowing price inflation. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

In South Africa's agricultural export focus means the country must always keep an open eye for any potential new market expansion. One country that has consistently been on our radar is China. The country's dominance in global agricultural imports, stable economy, large population, and current low penetration by South Africa's agriculture make it an ideal area for expansion. However, the non-existence of a preferential trade agreement in agricultural products has disadvantaged South Africa relative to its competitors, such as Australia, Peru, and Chile, among others, which access the Chinese market at a tariff-free rate or with low tariffs. It is against this backdrop that we found the official announcement by the Chinese authorities that they would consider lowering import tariffs for various goods from African countries encouraging. While no official details have been released yet, we view the message as consistent with what the official representatives of the People's Republic of China have been communicating, particularly regarding agriculture. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

On 12 June, the United States department of agriculture released an update to its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, presenting an optimistic outlook for grains and oilseeds production. For example, the department forecasts 2025-26 global wheat production at a record 808 million tonnes, up 1% from the previous season. This is based on the expectation of an ample harvest in the European Union, Russia, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom and India, among other key producing countries. With that said, consumption is also expected to remain strong, mainly because of the rising demand for food, feed and industrial use in various countries. Thus, the stocks may remain slightly tight, estimated at 262 million tonnes, down 0.5% from the previous season. Still, wheat prices have come under pressure in recent months and could remain at relatively lower levels for some time. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

The frequent outbreaks of animal diseases in SA’s agriculture pose a risk to its growth. The latest crisis, marked by separate outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, has once again brought the issue of animal biosecurity in SA into the spotlight. The constant recurrence of the disease will ultimately reduce earnings and export opportunities to high-value markets. This could lead to financial pressures on cattle farming businesses, and they may struggle to meet all their financial commitments. That over the years we have been unable to resolve the animal disease crisis suggests we have not done enough as a country to address the key issues and implement the necessary measures to bring about long-lasting solutions. Both the government and farmers have a role and responsibility in this effort. There are various actions the state can take to resolve this impasse, and it is unclear whether the department of agriculture has already taken all the required key steps and managerial decisions. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

In a year where trade has dominated the headlines since the US started imposing higher tariffs against its trading partners, agricultural export activity is worth paying close attention to. Encouragingly, the start of the year has remained positive for the sector. In the first quarter of 2025, SA’s agricultural exports totalled $3.36bn (R59.5bn), up 10% from the same period a year ago, according to data from Trade Map. This is a function of both higher volumes of various product exports and better commodity prices. The products that dominated the exports list in the first quarter were mainly grapes, maize, apples, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, wine, wool, fruit juices, nuts, dates, avocados, pineapples, and beef, among other products. While the ports remain a challenge and require further improvement and investment, the agricultural export season in the first quarter experienced less friction than in the recent past. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

I’m at the airport in Kimberly in the Northern Cape as I type this, and I just saw the news that China aims to lower import tariffs on a range of goods from various African countries. We are yet to receive more details on China’s intentions to lower import tariffs for various African countries. What is worth emphasising for now is that, from a South African agricultural perspective, this would be a welcome development. China has profound importance in global agriculture. In 2023, China was a leading importer, accounting for 11% of global agricultural imports, with imports valued at US$218 billion. The leading suppliers of farm products to China are Brazil, the U.S., Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Canada, Vietnam, France, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Malaysia. However, China has been on a journey to diversify its agricultural exports beyond these suppliers, which has accelerated following the U.S. initial tariffs in 2018 and is ongoing in 2025. Click here to read full article by Wandile Sihlobo.

We are waiting for more details on China’s intentions to lower import tariffs for various African countries. What is worth emphasising for now is that, from a South African agricultural perspective, this would be a welcome development. China is profoundly important in global agriculture. In 2023, it was a leading importer, accounting for 11% of global agricultural imports, with imports valued at $218bn. The leading suppliers of farm products to China are Brazil, the US, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Canada, Vietnam, France, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Malaysia. However, China has been diversifying its agricultural exports beyond these suppliers, a process that accelerated after the US initially imposed tariffs in 2018 and continues in 2025. Latin American countries and Australia have been the primary beneficiaries of China’s diversification strategy. Click here to read full article and listen to podcast by Wandile Sihlobo.

The South African government - under land redistribution - has acquired about 2.5 million hectares of land that has not yet been transferred. That is the figure given by Wandile Sihlobo, the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, in this interview with BizNews. “That is in the government land holding account, as I speak with you. That land has not been transferred to Black South Africans with title deeds.” Sihlobo also releases the 2nd Quarter results of the Agribusiness Confidence Index that show there is still optimism in the South African agricultural sector.: Read here. He further debunks some of the myths and misconceptions around land reform and Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC). He comments on China planning to lower tariffs on a range of goods from African countries, and outlines ways to diversify export markets. Meanwhile, he is highly optimistic about the future of farming: “While some have portrayed the South African agricultural sector in the past few days and months as a sector that is under siege, it actually is not under siege…If anything, it is actually thriving… We are talking about a sector that has more than doubled in value and in volume terms since 1994.” Shilobo is the author of three books, “The Uncomfortable Truth About South Africa’s Agriculture (2025)”, “A Country of Two Agricultures: The Disparities, The Challenges, The Solutions (2023)” and “Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity and Agriculture (2020)”. Click here to watch.

The strategic vision of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) is to drive inclusive and sustainable agro- industrialisation, supporting job creation, rural development, and spatial, racial, gender, and generational equity. Support to the agricultural sector is driven by a number of strategic pathways, namely diversification, decarbonisation and green growth, economic and climate resilience, and regional value chains. The IDC’s role in agro-industrialisation is not limited to financing only, but includes support to industry (master plans and new financing models) and strategic partnering (projects and fund management). Support to industry: IDC financing is generally done in the form of debt instruments for agro- processing and targeted agricultural production; however, equity instruments can be considered for strategic projects. Blended finance schemes are instrumental in the agricultural sector and the IDC, with its fund management capability, manages programmes for blended finance such as the Agro Industrial Fund and Agro-Processing Competitiveness Fund. Click here to read full article by Mopai Mashatola and click here to read Agbiz Grain Quarterly.

A report aimed at assessing and quantifying the risks associated with the production, storage, handling, transport, and processing of malting barley has been tentatively released. This follows the South African Winter Cereal Industry Trust (SAWCIT), now the South African Winter Cereal Industry Agency (SAWCIA), commissioning the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) in 2023 to conduct an independent, in-depth analysis of the local barley value chain. A draft report has been released to industry for discussion. The report was commissioned during a period of great uncertainty in the barley industry. Barley production in South Africa stands at a pivotal point. In the pre-Covid period, the South African barley industry grew consistently at an average rate of 2% per annum, bringing the industry almost to a level of self-sufficiency in the market for barley for human consumption (beer). However, the barley industry has faced a series of hurdles in recent years – from unpredictable weather patterns and rising input costs to the far-reaching impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read full article for by Christal-Lize Muller, Plaas Media and click here to read Agbiz Grain Quarterly.

Ending hunger demands a complete rethinking of how we produce, distribute, and consume food. On that point, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Strategic Framework and its Science and Innovation Strategy make a simple case: solving systemic problems requires systemic solutions. That means drawing on science in all its forms – traditional, local, and cutting-edge – to transform agrifood systems to serve both people and the planet. Biotechnology holds immense potential to enhance food production, improve nutrition, and build resilience. It is a vital component of the innovation "toolbox" to drive agrifood systems transformation. However, its adoption remains uneven, constrained by gaps in capacity, infrastructure, financing, and policy support. How can biotechnologies deliver meaningful and equitable impacts? This is the central question FAO will explore at the Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference, taking place from 16 to 18 June 2025 at FAO headquarters in Rome. Click here to read full article.

Stakeholders in South Africa’s logistics sector are looking to integrate various sources of logistics data in the local fresh produce export sector to improve port efficiency. The idea of an integrated logistics platform similar to Portbase, an integrated data system implemented by the Port of Rotterdam, and the Networked Trade Platform applied in Singapore, was floated at a recent collaborative workshop, according to a circular of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF). The forum says the objective of the workshop was to “establish and conceptualise the characteristics of an integrated logistics data platform serving port stakeholders”. The data systems that could be integrated into such a system include: The Provincial Government Digital Logistics Planning Platform designed by data service provider Crickmay, Fresh produce stock movement monitoring by Agri-Hub. Click here to read full article.

South Africa aims to enhance its agricultural exports to China by leveraging BRICS collaboration, seizing on increased demand as reported by exporters in the sector. The nation's agricultural sector has seen growth, bolstered by opportunities arising from expanding trade routes. Riyp, a South African fruit and vegetable exporter distributing produce globally, has noted escalating interest from China. "When we started, we started only with citrus into China, and that volume has been growing year on year. But more recently, we've also seen an increase in demand for our apples, as well as our grapes from the Chinese market," stated Uzair Essack, owner and managing director at Riyp. Following the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2023, South African exports experienced a boost, with China's demand for South African produce heightening. Essack highlighted the benefits of BRICS relations, stating, "BRICS has definitely helped South African and Chinese trade. There's usually a lot of red tape when it comes to regulations and certifications regarding the fresh produce industry. But with BRICS and the support that they've given us, new varieties, new fruit cultivars, and new types of fruit are now being exported to China." Click here to read full article.

Export companies welcome new measures, but critics argue that it prioritises corporate interests over labour rights. Peru’s new agrarian law, which narrowly passed its first reading in parliament last week has received a mixed response from the sector. The initiative includes a series of measures to boost the agricultural sector, including tax breaks for small producers and large companies, along with the promotion of digitalization and technology; regenerative and organic agriculture; and the use of genetic resources and animal welfare. Exporter association Adex and Agap, Association of Agricultural Producers of Peru, have welcomed the reforms, claiming they will encourage much-needed investment in production. But the law has been met with widespread criticism from trade unions and farmers’ organisations. Gabriel Amaro, president of Agap, told El Comercio: “The benefit is not only economic for the national treasury, but also in terms of attracting foreign currency. We are the second largest export sector and job creator. In other words, what the country gains from a promotional law will be immensely greater than what they will apparently lose”. Click here to read full article.

This update provides a consolidated overview of the South African logistics network and the current state of international trade. At our container terminals, an average of 12 213 TEUs was handled daily, increasing slightly from 12 006 TEUs the previous week. Port Operations were characterised by adverse weather, vacant berths, as well as continuous equipment breakdowns and shortages. Adverse weather and equipment challenges ensured operational disruptions at the Port of Cape Town. In contrast, the main operational constraints in Durban proved to be continuous equipment breakdowns and adverse weather. Inclement weather and vacant berths mainly impacted operations at our Eastern Cape Ports; however, minimal delays were reported at the Port of Richards Bay this week. Berth IV7 at the Island View terminal is expected to be out of commission for the next two weeks due to maintenance operations and is anticipated to be recommissioned around 24 June. Click here to read full BUSA report.

The Trump administration's workplace Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have brought unrest to many U.S. industries, and the agricultural sector is one of them. IFPA, the International Fresh Produce Association, said in a statement addressing the crackdown on behalf of the fresh produce industry, that the enforcement actions targeting agricultural laborers are disruptive to farm operations and the produce supply chain that consumers rely on. The statement also said the raids are the culmination of decades of inaction from policymakers and a broken labor system, but that they are exacerbating an already fragile labor situation, threatening the long-term viability of U.S. agriculture, and impacting the broader supply chain, from packers and wholesalers to retailers and transportation providers. The organization also praised President Trump’s acknowledgement of discontent across the farming, hotel, and leisure industries and announcement that changes are coming on his social platform. Click here to read full article.

A World Bank-linked climate fund has backed South African plans to cut its reliance on coal, unlocking up to $2.6-billion in financing and giving the nation’s energy transition an unexpected boost. The approval of the updated plan by the Climate Investment Funds, which was stalled after South Africa last year asked to delay the closure of three coal-fired power plants to ease an energy crisis, will see the CIF disburse $500-million to the country. That clears the path for as much as $2.1-billion from multilateral lenders including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, plus other sources. “CIF’s Clean Technology Fund Trust Fund Committee approved an update to South Africa’s Accelerating Coal Transition investment plan” on June 11, the fund said in a response to queries. Under the plan, it said South Africa can now put forward detailed costing for projects it had outlined and then get approval for their funding from the trust. It referred additional questions on financing to the South African government, which confirmed that the plans are still in place. Click here to read full article.

This report has been updated to include the latest information relevant to exporting to South Africa. The Food and Agricultural Import Regulation and Standards (FAIRS) Certificate Report provides a comprehensive list of the main certificates required for exporting plants, animals, and animal products to South Africa. For a thorough understanding of South Africa’s market access and certification requirements, it is advisable to read the FAIRS Certificate Report in conjunction with the FAIRS Country Report. Importing plants, animals, and animal products into South Africa requires obtaining specific export certificates and import permits, as well as adhering to health requirements. The process involves: Import Permits: Most consignments must be accompanied by an import permit issued by South Africa’s Department of Agriculture. Phytosanitary Regulations: Compliance with phytosanitary regulations is required for plants. Health Certificates: Accredited veterinarians or authorities must provide health certificates for animals and animal products. Click here to read full report.

In the video, stakeholders from the fruit export industry, the Western Cape Government, and Transnet Port Terminals reflect on the successful implementation of a public–private partnership that delivered two 500kVA generators and 120 additional reefer plug points at the Cape Town Container Terminal. Speakers featured in the video include: Theo Boshoff, CEO of Agbiz, Noxolo Thabatha, Terminal Manager at Cape Town Container Terminal, Glen Steyn, Project Manager, Logistics Development: Western Cape Government, Mecia Peterson, CEO: South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), Oscar Borchards, Managing Executive, Western Cape Terminals: Transnet, Ilse van Schalkwyk, Acting DDG: SEAD & Chief Director: Economic Sector Support, Antoinette van Heerden, Logistics Manager: Fresh Produce Exporters Forum and Jacques du Preez, General Manager: Trade and Markets, Hortgro. Watch the video here and read the full joint press release here.

A brand-new podcast series bringing you sharp insights into South Africa’s agricultural sector — hosted by renowned economist and thought leader Wandile Sihlobo. In this week’s episode: What do current trade dynamics with the USA mean for our agri exports? Why was Deputy President Paul Mashatile in France — and how does it affect the sector? Plus: Signs of strong health and excellence across the industry. Click here to watch.

In this insightful discussion with Anlie Hattingh on AgriXtra, Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff unpacks the newly signed Expropriation Act, shedding light on its implications for land reform and property rights. While some see the legislation as a step forward, others fear its impact on private ownership. Boshoff provides a balanced perspective, separating fact from fiction and exploring what this means for the agricultural sector. Click here to watch the full interview.

Following the activation of its Operational Centre (OC) and the rollout of Phase 1 of its coordinated response to the escalating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is actively implementing the key actions set out in its initial response plan. These include the formal appointment of the FMD Working Group and the initiation of critical actions to manage the outbreak, safeguard market access, and strengthen the red meat industry’s long-term resilience. Click here to read full RMIS statement.

Discover the latest updates and insights from Hortgro in the newest edition of their publication. Click here to read the July 2025 issue of HORTGRO NEWS, featuring the latest industry developments and important information.

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), shares the latest news in the citrus industry in its weekly update, From the desk of the CEO. Please click here to peruse. 

Potatoes SA Innovation Symposium

23 & 24 July 2025 | CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria

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3rd Annual Food Waste Solutions Summit

26-27 June 2025 | Hotel Sky, Sandton

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International Fresh Produce Association’s Southern Africa Conference

23-24 July 2025 | Pretoria, South Africa

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TIPS FORUM 2025

30-31 July 2025 | IDC Auditorium, Sandton

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2025 Agricultural Transformation Lekgotla

13 August 2025 | Batter Boys, Pretoria

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SAPPO PIGx2 2025

31 July - 1 August | Maslow Hotel, Menlyn, Pretoria

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South African Sugar Technologists’ Association Congress 2025 

12-14 August 2025 | ICC Durban

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• Agbiz is the only organisation that serves the broader and common over-arching business interests of agribusinesses in South Africa.
• Agbiz addresses the legislative and policy environment on the many fronts that it impacts on the agribusiness environment.
• Agbiz facilitates considerable top-level networking opportunities so that South African agribusinesses can play an active and creative role within the local and international organised business environment.
• Agbiz research provides sector-specific information for informed decision-making.
• Agbiz newsletter publishes members' press releases and member product announcements.