South Africa's agricultural sector is riding high on the global stage, with exports reaching a record US$13.7 billion in 2024—a 3% increase year-on-year—fueled by strong performances in citrus, grapes, maize, apples, pears, wine, nuts, fruit juices, sugar, berries, dates, pineapples, avocados, wool, apricots, peaches, cider, and beef. Q1 2025, exports hit US$3.36 billion (up 10%), and Q2 climbed to US$3.71 billion (another 10% rise), driven by higher volumes and commodity prices, despite US tariffs.
Average monthly food/non-alcoholic spending is R890 per person, but essentials have soared 60% since 2019 (e.g., staples from R1,303 to R2,079), straining low-income households amid 32% unemployment.
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr. Ivan Meyer, praised the agricultural sector’s strong performance in Q2 2025, as detailed in the Agricultural Economic Quarterly Report. The Western Cape economy grew by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter and 1.3% year-on-year, with agriculture contributing significantly through a 2.5% quarterly and 14% annual growth rate, making up 4.7% of the provincial economy. Horticulture, particularly citrus, vegetables, and deciduous fruits, drove R44 billion in national gross farm income. The sector supports 20% of South Africa’s agricultural gross value added and sustains 302,604 jobs (11% of provincial employment), with 202,120 in primary agriculture (81% crop production) and 100,484 in agri-processing (led by food and beverage manufacturing). Meyer emphasized agriculture’s role in the Growth for Jobs Strategy, targeting 4–6% annual economic growth and 6,000 new jobs by 2035, with commitments to innovation, infrastructure, and market access to bolster rural job creation and economic resilience.
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