Browse Data and Analysis

South Africa boasts one of Africa's most developed and diverse economies, supported by a robust commercial sector and sophisticated distribution networks.

In 2024, Southern Africa faced a severe drought, leading to a significant decline in corn and soybean production, which caused rising food inflation and economic challenges.

The UK’s recent trade announcements with the United States (U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal), the European Union (UK-EU Summit), and India (UK-India Free Trade Agreement) are all expected to affect imports/exports for agricultural products between the UK and partner countries.

The FAIRS Annual Country Report provides a comprehensive summary of the rules and regulations governing the import of food and agricultural products to South Africa.

This report has been updated to include the latest information relevant to exporting to South Africa. The Food and Agricultural Import Regulation and Standards (FAIRS) Certificate Report provides a comprehensive list of the main certificates required for exporting plants, animals, and animal products to South Africa.

The South African Department of Agriculture (DoA) reported several new positive cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle in the KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces in April 2025. Following the announcement of the FMD outbreak, China suspended imports of cloven-hoofed animals and related products from South Africa.

The United Kingdom (UK) is forecast to have a significant increase in grain crop production in Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26. This is largely driven by a partial recovery in wheat production following a particularly low level of production in MY 2024/25.

The 2024 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2024 calendar year.

FAS/Pretoria’s Sugar annual report provides information on the production, supply, and distribution of sugar in South Africa for marketing year (MY) 2023/24, MY 2024/25, and MY 2025/26.

Cranberry consumption and imports are growing in South Africa, with demand for dried cranberries and juice rising among middle-income, health-conscious consumers.

In the United Kingdom (UK) regulatory changes affecting high-sugar soft drinks and food and drink products high in fat, sugar, and salt food (HFSS) come into effect in April and October 2025.

The UK government is committed to signing a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU to ease post-Brexit trading frictions, but depending on the type of deal agreed, it may impact the UK’s ability to negotiate future Free Trade Agreements.