South Africa’s agricultural exports are under direct threat because of European Union farmers’ fears of being sidelined in favour of imports and declining subsidies for the sector.
Recently EU farmers took to the streets to voice their concerns as they try to curtail the threat of imports.
Thabile Nkunjana, senior economist of the National Agricultural Marketing Council, said there were major repercussions for South Africa’s agricultural sector.
“Three key causes of the EU walkout include protection against imports, declining agricultural subsidies and the reduction of chemicals and fertiliser use.
“The EU is one of the major markets for South African agricultural products – mostly fruit, wines and some nuts – so any protection of them is problematic for our exports in the agricultural sector.”
He said thousands of livelihoods were imperilled as they were supported by the agricultural sector, which has grown significantly in both production and exports thanks, in large part, to the EU, so any disruption posed a threat..
He added that Africa and the Middle East/Asia combination was currently the third-largest market for South African exports, which accounted for 19% of total exports in the third quarter of 2023.
