Despite 2022 being hands down one of the most challenging years for agri exports ever, South Africa maintained a positive export trend. This is mostly thanks to a sizeable agricultural output in the 2021/22 production season and higher commodity prices.
Chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), Wandile Sihlobo, said the value of the country’s agricultural exports amounted to $3.7bn in the third quarter of the year; about 10% higher than the same period for the previous year. Citrus, maize, nuts, wine, apples, pears, sugar, fruit juices, berries, soybeans and wool were among the most critical products exported in the third quarter.
The EU is a sizeable market for South Africa’s citrus industry and the whole agricultural sector. Sihlobo stated that in the third quarter, citrus maintained its spot as the top exportable agricultural product by value in Mzansi. This was roughly the same value as the third quarter in 2021, just more than $1.06 bln (about R18.3 bln).
Source: foodformzansi.co.za