Look to Asia, Middle East for export growth

African countries often block SA agriculture products

- By Caiphus Kgosana

In a week that South Africa surpassed Spain to become the world's largest citrus exporter by volume, an expert has raised doubts about the rest of Africa becoming a growth destination for the country's agricultural exports.

Wandile Sihlobo, presidential envoy on agriculture and land, said while up to 40% of South Africa's agricultural exports go to countries on the continent, 90% of these products end up in the southern Africa region.

"True, 40% of our farm exports go to African continent, but 90c in every dollar is from southern Africa; nothing from West Africa and (North Africa) regions. The folks are using non-tariff barriers to keep SA exports out."

Speaking during a discussion on trade and tariffs at the Nampo agricultural exhibition, Sihlobo said even Southern African countries were prone to blocking some of South Africa's agricultural exports on flimsy grounds.

"Sometimes our neighbours block our vegetables, and we still fund them through Sacu (the Southern African Customs Union)."