Browse Data and Analysis

The area under apple, pears, and table grape cultivation in South Africa has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by ongoing investments into the deciduous fruit sector on relatively high earnings from export markets. However, the expansion in apple, pears, and table grape production is expected to alleviate in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, despite the production of record crops in MY 2021/22.

The current labor disputes at Transnet, South Africa’s state-owed port, rail and pipeline authority, have caused severe staff shortages at ports resulting in a significant slowdown of port operations and caused the company to declare fore majeure.

South Africa’s food service sector generated revenues valued at US$3.5 billion in 2021, an upsurge of almost 30 percent from 2020. The South Africa hotel, restaurant, and institutional industry was severely affected by the strict restrictions imposed by the South African government to control the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020.

Post estimates that the South African sugar cane crop will grow by 7 percent to 18.4 million metric tons (MT) in the 2022/23 market year (MY), up from 17.2 million MT in the 2021/22 MY. This is based on a return to normal weather conditions, an improvement in yields, and industry efforts to increase production, especially for small-scale farmers.

South Africa has announced plans to transfer numerous governmental functions including agricultural inspections to the new Border Management Agency which currently falls under Home Affairs.

South Africa’s local wheat price increased sharply to record high levels in April 2020.

The South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) set aside R1.2 billion (US$ 64 million) to support distressed small-holder farmers.

Since March 27, 2020, the South African Government has banned the sale and transport of all alcoholic beverages, causing strain on both the domestic and import industries.

U.S. bone-in chicken exports to South Africa for the 2019/2020 year reached 82,592 tons, filling and exceeding the tariff rate quota of 68,590 tons by 20 percent.

The production of apples and table grapes is estimated to grow in the 2019/20 Marketing Year (MY), due to the increase in area planted and available irrigation water following improved 2019...

South Africa has the largest foodservice market in Southern Africa, and a highly competitive hospitality industry.

The South African wine industry is currently facing restrictions on wine exports and imports, and domestic wine sales.