Vegetable export bans stir concerns in Southern African agriculture

Vegetables

South Africa

Regulation & Compliances

Market & Price Trends

Published Feb 15, 2024

Tridge summary

As South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia gear up for general elections, their trade relations, especially in the agricultural sector, are being closely examined. Despite bans on South African vegetable exports by Botswana and Namibia, trade relations remain positive, says Thabile Nkunjana of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC). However, new government policies could affect the agricultural industry. South Africa's vegetable export revenue from 2018 to 2022 was R3.1 billion, with significant contributions from Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. The recent temporary ban by Zimbabwe on South African potatoes due to a virus outbreak was also discussed.

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Original content

Bilateral relations are critical in the agricultural industry, as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia gear up for general elections this year. Trade among the three countries will be under scrutiny with the key focus on food security. While Botswana and Namibia have banned vegetable exports from South Africa, trade relations between the countries have been excellent, said Thabile Nkunjana from the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC). It spans a variety of industries that are interlinked to agriculture such as finance, logistics, retail, wholesale, and primary agricultural production. However, experts have warned that new policies by incoming governments might either harm or unblock the great potential of the agricultural industry. BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR INDABA TICKET “Using the vegetable industry as an example, South Africa’s average annual export revenue between 2018 and 2022 was R3.1 billion, largely due to the country’s neighbours. About 20% of South Africa’s ...

Source: Foodformzansi