Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for aggressive public-private collaboration to overhaul crumbling logistics networks, modernise biosecurity and unlock new growth frontiers such as biofuels.
Speaking at the Agbiz Congress 2026 Gala Dinner at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre in Gqeberha, Steenhuisen told industry leaders that the state needs to narrow its focus to critical enabling infrastructure and then “get out of the way” of the private sector.
“Over the past year alone, we have had to navigate global conflict, rising protectionism, disrupted shipping routes, volatile exchange rates, logistical bottlenecks, climate shocks and ongoing biosecurity threats,” Steenhuisen said.
Despite this operating environment, he said the sector continues to grow because it has “learned how to adapt faster than the obstacles confronting it”.
Government often tries to do too much, too slowly, and needs to refocus on removing blockages and opening markets, he said. “Productive sectors create prosperity when government stops making growth unnecessarily difficult.”
Turning to logistics, Steenhuisen said inefficiency had acted as a direct tax on agricultural exporters for years. Recent developments in private sector participation at the Port of Durban reflected a growing pragmatism, he said, but warned that the pace of rail and port reform needed to accelerate.
“For an export-driven sector such as ours, efficient ports, rail and freight systems are not a luxury, they are foundational to growth, market access and competitiveness,” Steenhuisen said.
Agribusinesses understand exactly what delays and congestion cost in real economic terms, he said. “We are entering a new phase in South African agriculture, where the conversation is shifting from survival towards expansion and value creation. There are several areas where government and agribusiness can work together far more aggressively,” Steenhuisen said.
He outlined biosecurity, blended agricultural finance and digital extension services as areas that are ripe for public-private partnerships. The biofuels sector presents an untapped industrialisation opportunity and interdepartmental engagements have been initiated between agriculture, energy and trade stakeholders.
Steenhuisen warned against the paralysis of endless meetings and ineffective forums. “Collaboration only works if institutions are functional, trusted and outcomes driven,” he said.
