South Africa's agricultural exports reach record US$13.7 billion in 2024

South Africa's agricultural exports rose to record highs and reached US$13.7 billion in 2024, marking an increase of 3 per cent from the previous year. Citrus, grapes, wines, dates, avocados, pineapples, fruit juices, apples and pears, berries, apricots and cherries, nuts, and wool were amongst the top agricultural products South Africa exported. This is reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

Wandile Sihlobo, Agricultural Business Chamber's (Agbiz) Chief Economist, said the country needed to accelerate initiatives including investments in the port and rail infrastructure and improving roads in farming towns.

He added that the departments of trade, industry and competition, as well as international relations and cooperation, and agriculture, should lead the way for export expansion in the current export markets and the search for new export markets.

Sihlobo said South Africa should expand market access to some key BRICS countries, such as China, India, and Egypt.

"The private sector and the South African government share this ambition for export market expansion. [...] More resources and marketing must be used for this work," he said.