Although South Africa’s first quarter exports of agricultural products this year were up 5% on the last quarter of 2022, compared on a year-on-year basis, exports were down 2% compared with the equivalent quarter last year.
Exports for the first quarter amounted to $2.9 billion, according to Agricultural Business Chamber chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.
Climactic elements placed a strain on availability of produce for export.
"The excessive rains brought production challenges that delayed the summer crop planting activity by roughly a month, but later improved. Regarding exports, slowing agricultural commodity prices reduced profitability from the levels farmers enjoyed a year ago, specifically grains and oilseeds.”
Moreover, some logistical challenges persisted in the Port of Cape Town, which negatively affected table grape and various horticultural product exports. The top exportable products were grapes, maize, apples and pears, wine, wool, apricots and peaches, sugar, fruit juices and soybeans.
Africa remained the largest market for South Africa's agricultural exports in the first quarter, accounting for 39% in value terms.
Source: FreshPlaza
