South Africa’s agricultural sector demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025, achieving a record $15.1 billion in exports despite a slump in US trade. While punitive American tariffs caused sales to fall sharply in the second half of the year, the industry adapted by aggressively seeking new markets. This strategic pivot proved successful, with the rest of Africa absorbing over half of South Africa’s agricultural exports in the fourth quarter. In particular, strong production of corn, citrus, table grapes, and wine, coupled with favorable prices, drove the overall 10% annual increase. As the sector notches its seventh consecutive year of export growth, the focus now shifts to 2026, where even higher production volumes could further cement this positive trajectory, showcasing the industry’s ability to thrive amid shifting global trade winds.
Bloomberg
