Agri exporters target new markets

The Agricultural Business
Chamber (AgBiz) is looking
to new global markets for
produce such as nuts and
avocados to sustain export
growth which is set to taper
off in Africa.
AgBiz CEO, John
Purchase, quoted figures
from the International Trade
Council (ITC) showing that
South African agricultural
exports surged 68% to
R104.43 billion in the last
six years to last year, boosted
by demand from southern
African countries.
Purchase pointed out that
trade with SA’s neighbouring
countries had increased
as food retail companies,
including Shoprite, had
stocked their African stores
with local produce. But
that massive growth is now
tapering off as retailers and
producers are increasingly
sourcing goods domestically.
“We can only really grow
agriculture in South Africa if
we grow our export market,”
said Purchase, noting that
the chamber had identified
“huge potential” especially
for exporting avocados into
the United States under
the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (Agoa) and
macadamias into China.
He pointed out that over
half of South Africa’s primary
and processed agricultural
products went to the US,
and the chamber wanted
to diversify into markets
including the Middle East and
Far East.
AgBiz was already in talks
with the United Kingdom
about new agricultural trade
relationships following Brexit,
he added.