African Agriculture: When Will It Realise Its True Potential?

Agriculture employs 70% of the workforce in Africa and constitutes 30% of total GDP. Yet the continent relies heavily on imports and food aid. Lindi Botha spoke to three leaders | in the African agriculture sector to explain this anomaly.

- Lindi Botha

PANEL OF EXPERTS: Coillard Hamusimbi, an independent consultant in food, agriculture and rural development in Zambia [CH]. Cheyo Mwenechanya, head of agribusiness at FNB Zambia [CM]. Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of the RSA Group [JO].

What potential does the African market hold?

CH: Africa is currently spending US$35 billion [about R500 billion] a year on food imports. Zambia alone imports 54% of its onions, 53% of its apples, and 23% of its citrus. [On average], food accounts for two-thirds of African budgets, with fruit and vegetable consumption rising quickly in urban centres due to rapid urbanisation. This is a great opportunity. Medium-income and wealthier households in Zambia alone have increased their fruit and vegetable spending by 11% and 5% respectively. The overall figures will increase due to rising healthy eating [trends] among higher per capita income households. Even low-income households in Zambia have doubled their expenditure on fresh fruit and vegetables, from 14% to 32%.