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As we approach the end of 2025, it is fair to characterise the year as one of mixed fortunes for South Africa's agriculture. On the upside, we have the robust field crops, horticulture, and wine. On the downside, it has been a more challenging time for the livestock industry, mainly cattle farming, due to foot-and-mouth disease.
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We continue to receive encouraging reports on the prospects for La Niña-induced rainfall during the 2025-26 summer season. Most regions of the country have received excellent rain since the start of October.
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: It has been widely argued that bureaucratic red tape, malfeasance, resourcing challenges, poor planning and a lack of political will have prevented many land reform beneficiary communities from turning their newly acquired assets into sustainable livelihoods or into a buffer against deepening poverty.
Domestic policies generally guide agricultural developments here at home.
User Rating: 5 / 5
South Africa's agricultural exports have remained strong since the start of the year despite significant trade policy shifts and uncertainty. The cumulative value of agricultural exports for the first three quarters of the year is US$11.7 billion, representing a 10% increase from the corresponding period in 2024.
It is looking increasingly likely that the mixed performance of South Africa's farming sector in 2025 will continue into 2026. The favourable weather outlook, farmers' exuberant intentions to increase the area they will plant for summer grains and oilseeds, and the general positive sentiment in the horticulture industry, are encouraging factors going into 2026.
