South Africa's agricultural exports rise 10% to $4.1 billion in second quarter of 2026

South Africa's agricultural exports rose 10% in the second quarter of 2026 to US$4.1 billion, extending a strong start to the year for the country's farming sector. The figures were cited by Wandile Sihlobo, Presidential Envoy on Agriculture and Land, and reported by Farmers Review Africa.

The second quarter followed an already solid first quarter and lifted agricultural exports for the first six months of 2026 to US$7.8 billion. "That is up 11% from the first half of 2025," Sihlobo said, describing the performance as "fairly well" so far this year. He linked the result to the harvest as much as to market access: "The core of it is the fact that even on production level, we've had quite an excellent season."

Fruit anchors the basket, beef held back by FMD

The export mix stayed diversified, with fruit accounting for a significant share of shipments. Sihlobo listed citrus, apples, pears, dates, pineapples, avocados, guavas and mangoes among the fruit sent abroad. Other major lines included:

• maize
• wine
• wool
• meat, particularly mutton

Beef was the clear exception. Shipments remained constrained by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with vaccination continuing and markets reopening only gradually. "We are not seeing a lot of beef this time around. Part of the reason is the fact that we are still struggling with the foot and mouth disease," Sihlobo said.

Africa takes 40%, US shipments jump 56%

Africa remained the leading destination, absorbing about 40% of total agricultural exports in the quarter. Maize, apples, pears, citrus, sugar and processed foods were among the goods moving into other African markets.

Asia and the Middle East combined formed the second-largest market at about 24% of exports, taking mutton, fruit and wine. Exports to the Middle East alone rose 1% to about US$332 million despite conflict and disruption in the region. "I was surprised to see that South African agricultural exports to the Middle East specifically, they actually increased by 1% around US$332 million," Sihlobo said.

The European Union was the third-largest regional market with about 21% of quarterly exports, mainly fruit and wine. The Americas, including the United States and Canada, were relatively stable at about 5% of the total.

Within that share, the United States recorded the sharpest move: South African agricultural exports to the US rose 56% in the second quarter compared with the first. Sihlobo attributed the increase partly to lower duties and to product availability. "I do think that the movement of the tariffs or adjustment from 30% to 12.5% helped a lot in making sure that we continue to enjoy greater market access within the US market," he said.

Imports up 12%, surplus at US$2.1 billion

Agricultural imports reached about US$2 billion in the second quarter, 12% more than in the same period of 2025. Wheat, rice, palm oil and poultry accounted for the bulk of inbound volumes. Sihlobo noted that South Africa produces some of these commodities domestically but still depends on imports to cover consumption.

The outcome was an agricultural trade surplus of about US$2.1 billion for the quarter, up 9% year on year. Sihlobo said the numbers reflect an export-oriented farming economy in which roughly half of domestic output is shipped abroad.

Ports and new markets in focus

Sihlobo framed the next phase as a question of retention and expansion: "It's about then now, how do we keep and maintain these markets? But at the same time, how do we widen to new export markets?" He identified the search for new destinations and the negotiation of free trade agreements as policy priorities, adding that deeper regional integration would require resolving trade obstacles within Southern Africa.

Logistics remain central to sustaining volumes. Sihlobo pointed to port efficiency in particular, calling improvements at Durban and in the Eastern Cape encouraging while urging continued cooperation between business and Transnet to lift performance further.