SA's agricultural sector shows resilience

SOUTH Africa's agricultural sector has emerged as a beacon of hope, recording a remarkable growth of 15.8% in the first quarter of 2025.

- WEEKEND ARGUS REPORTER

This impressive performance has not only added 0.4 percentage points to the country's overall GDP growth but has also starkly contrasted with declines in critical sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electricity, and construction. The surge in agricultural output is primarily driven by increased activity in the horticulture and animal products sectors.

The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) said as the agricultural sector flourishes, South African agricultural exports have also seen a significant uplift, climbing by 6% from the previous quarter and an impressive 10% year-on-year, culminating in a value of US$3.35 billion (R61bn). This growth has been significantly bolstered by the rising demand for horticultural and grain commodities, including grapes, maize, and apples. Notably, the international demand for South African animal products remains robust, with bovine meat exports soaring by 31% compared to the previous year.