Regardless of persistent challenges brought on by foot-and-mouth illness (FMD) and avian influenza, South Africa’s agriculture sector was the strongest performer within the nation’s in any other case struggling economic system, recording the best progress of any sector within the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
Photograph: Provided
In response to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the economic system grew by a mere 0,1% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted). This marginal progress was carried largely by agriculture, which posted a 15,8% enhance in gross home product, displaying resilience even because the livestock business buckled beneath the load of illness outbreaks.
In response to Stats SA, “good rains contributed to the [agriculture sector’s] fortunes, with horticulture benefitting probably the most. Animal merchandise additionally fared nicely”.
In its quarterly commentary printed on its web site, the Nationwide Agricultural Advertising and marketing Council (NAMC) bolstered agriculture’s position within the economic system, highlighting record-breaking export efficiency.
“Over the earlier 12 months, South Africa maintained its strong export progress of agricultural merchandise in worldwide markets, reaching a brand new file of US$13,7 billion [around R251 billion] in 2024,” Dr Solly Molepo, supervisor of commerce analysis on the NAMC, stated.
In response to him, in Q1 2025 alone, exports rose 6% quarter-on-quarter to US$3,4 billion (R62 billion), with grapes main at 21% of the full export worth.
Different prime contributors have been maize (7%), apples and pears (3% every), plums (3%), wine (3%), and greasy shorn wool (3%). Africa remained the biggest export vacation spot (45%), adopted by the EU (23%) and Asia (16%).
On the identical time, agricultural imports declined by 5% to US$1,9 billion (R35 billion), largely on account of lowered imports of apple juice, frozen poultry, and rice.
“Palm oil remained the highest import [at 8% of total imports], regardless of an 8% drop,” Molepo added.
