JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's agricultural exports rose to 161 million U.S. dollars in the second quarter of 2025, up 26 percent from the same period in 2024, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said on Monday.
According to the minister, South Africa's agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience "in the face of significant global trade headwinds."
South African products exported to the United States have been subject to a 30 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration since Aug. 7.
"The recent imposition of a 30 percent tariff on our exports by the United States has brought to light the urgent need to diversify our export markets and enhance our competitiveness to mitigate the economic impact of losing preferential trade access. Our capacity to gain steady, long-term access to this important market continues to be a top priority," Steenhuisen said in a statement.
"This growth is not merely a statistical anomaly, but a reflection of a bountiful harvest, a surge in high-quality produce, and the efficient operation of our ports. The products leading this charge include a variety of fruits such as citrus, grapes, apples, and pears, as well as nuts and wine," he said. "As we continue to engage in diplomatic negotiations and work towards a more favourable trade agreement, the focus remains on ensuring that our farmers and exporters can continue to thrive in the global marketplace, securing the future of our agricultural sector."
South Africa is currently negotiating with the Trump administration to either remove the trade tariffs or reach a mutually beneficial trade deal.
Mphutumi Damane, an automotive industry expert, told Xinhua that if no agreement is reached between South Africa and the United States, the tariffs could have dire consequences for the country. "The tragedy is that it is the poor workers in these factories who suffer," he added.
When asked whether short-term measures could avert any crisis in the automotive sector, Damane said the most urgent thing is to enforce local content regulations to stop fully imported vehicles from competing with locally assembled vehicles.
"The trade talks with the United States are just stringing South Africa along and will not solve the problem," Damane added. Enditem.