South Africa's agri-food trade with the EU declines amid rising barriers

ANEW STUDY conducted by researchers at Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa and Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, has indicated a concerning decline in South Africa's agrifood trade with the European Union (EU).

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

The decline is attributed largely to increasing trade barriers and ongoing disputes that are reshaping the trade landscape.

Published in the journal Agrekon, the study provides a thorough analysis of how the EU’s agri-food import practices are deteriorating the competitiveness of South Africa's agricultural sector.

The researchers categorised agri-food products into four distinct groups: bulk commodities, processed intermediate goods, horticultural products, and consumer-ready goods. Among these, citrus, grapes, wine, apples and pears, and avocados emerge as the top five agri-food exports to the EU.

The findings highlight a striking trend, with nearly half of total EU agrifood imports directed towards Central European countries, while Northern and Southern EU nations each represent about 20%.

In contrast, Eastern EU countries have begun to carve out a smaller, yet growing, share of imports.

This evolution raises critical questions about the sustainability of South Africa's agri-food exports, which had seen consistent growth over the past twenty years but are now stifled by heightened challenges in the trade environment.