While The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) may present a significant opportunity to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector and increase export opportunities to new markets, addressing non-tariff barriers is critical.Speaking during a recent online forum, Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), said this included border post inefficiencies, high transactional costs, corruption, and administrative burdens. “In addition, removing non-trade constraints that are aimed at boosting agricultural production and investments in agro-processing is key and should be part of the post-Covid-19 economy recovery plans for various countries.”The AfCFTA, which has been ratified by 55 member states, is aimed at boosting intra-African trade, creating an integrated market for goods and services while promoting cross-border movement of capital and people.Sihlobo said the agribusiness community had recognised the strategic importance of the African market for increased agricultural investment and exports. “After all, the African continent accounts for roughly 40% of South Africa's agricultural exports of an average R131 billion a year.”But, said Sihlobo, the potential of the continent was highlighted if one considered that roughly 80% of those exports were concentrated within SADC.“In other words, there is major potential to extend our reach on the continent and increase our agricultural exports significantly through this agreement.”Furthermore, South Africa produced most of the products in demand in Africa. “Barley is a good example. South Africa has been looking for export markets and found them in Africa. Wine is another market where we can increase our volumes into Africa.”Under the AfCFTA, Sihlobo said South Africa would, however, need to be more willing to accept more products from Africa and increase its import volumes.According to Trudi Hartzenberg, executive director of tralac, developing the African agricultural sector is an important goal of the AfCFTA which was launched on January 1 this year. To date, however, countries can only trade in those goods for which the rules of origin have been concluded. Many agricultural products are still being negotiated – including all fish, buttermilk, cheese, wheat, f lours and tobacco products.She said for agricultural products being traded under the AfCFTA it was important to note that the goods or services had to be wholly obtained in the country of origin.“The fisheries rules of origin are quite complex and relate to issues such as the f lag under which a vessel f lies, the nationality of crew members, and matters related to factory ships that are extremely important for the expeditious processing of fish at sea,” she explained.For agricultural products being traded under the AfCFTA, it is important to note that the goods or services must be wholly obtained in the country of origin.Trudi Hartzenberg – tralac