CAPE TOWN, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's agricultural exports rose to a record level of 15.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2025 despite higher U.S. tariffs on most of its products, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz).
"South Africa's agricultural exports have remained strong throughout 2025 despite significant trade policy shifts and uncertainty. Agricultural exports in 2025 reached a record 15.1 billion U.S. dollars, up 10 percent from 2024," Agbiz said in its latest report released on Monday.
The report attributed the growth to higher production of fruits, grains, sugarcane and wine, as well as improvements in port and logistics efficiencies.
By region, Africa remained the largest market for South Africa's agricultural exports in the last quarter of 2025, taking 53 percent of the total value. Asia and the Middle East together accounted for 17 percent, followed by the European Union at 16 percent, while the Americas made up just 4 percent.
Notably, South Africa's agricultural exports to the United States totaled 504 million dollars in 2025, down 3 percent from a year earlier, with shipments falling 11 percent in the third quarter and 39 percent in the fourth.
Meanwhile, South Africa's agricultural imports totaled 7.8 billion dollars in 2025, up 4 percent from a year earlier, leaving the sector with a trade surplus of 7.3 billion dollars, up 18 percent year on year.
"Overall, in the current environment of heightened geoeconomic tensions, South Africa's export-oriented agricultural sector must maintain its existing export markets and expand into new ones," Agbiz Chief Economist Wandile Sihlobo said in the report.
The focus for South Africa's policymakers, agribusinesses and organized agriculture should be on improving logistical efficiency, Sihlobo noted. In addition, the country must work to maintain its existing markets in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
"South Africa should expand market access to key BRICS countries, including China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. There is also a need to increase focus on the broader Asia and Middle East regions, with the intention of securing lower tariffs and the removal of phytosanitary barriers," he added. ■