Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD
Krijg onbeperkte toegang tot meer dan 9000 tijdschriften, kranten en Premium-verhalen voor slechts
SA must pursue diversification opportunities to protect agri exports
Farmer's Weekly
|August 15-22, 2025
South Africa faces renewed pressure to diversify agricultural exports. Economist Bhekani Sandile Zondo urges exploring Asian and European markets, reports Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
South Africa's agriculture sector is facing fresh pressure to diversify its export markets following the US's imposition of a 30% reciprocal tariff on all imports, a move that threatens the competitiveness of key local products in one of the country's top trading destinations.
Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Bhekani Sandile Zondo, economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), said the new tariff regime could have “profound economic and policy implications” for an industry heavily reliant on global market access.
“For years, our agriculture sector has enjoyed duty-free access to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
“These privileges helped make the US one of our top six markets, accounting for 4% of our agricultural export value,” he added.
EXPORTS HIT NEW HIGH BUT FACE FUTURE RISK
Dit verhaal komt uit de August 15-22, 2025-editie van Farmer's Weekly.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN Farmer's Weekly
Farmer's Weekly
Infrastructure, policy, and finance will be the African continent's growth drivers
Africa's agricultural potential is vast, but inefficiencies in infrastructure, trade policy, and finance limit growth. Investments in transport, cold storage, irrigation, and digital trade systems, among others, are key to unlocking faster, cheaper, and more efficient agricultural trade.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SAPPO Academy showcases skills development and small business success
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO) Academy, a training organisation that promotes animal, environmental, and public health in the pig industry through knowledge transfer, recently hosted a mini development symposium in Pretoria. The event included an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, strategic learning, and leadership exchange, effectively bridging academic insight with real-world industry innovation.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Backing for SA Canegrowers as sugar imports soar
Coenie Snyman, winemaker and founder of Rock of Eye Wines, was named the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year for his Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, while Marnich Aucamp, assistant winemaker at Stellenbosch Vineyards, won the Young Winemaker of the Year award for his Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2024 at a gala dinner near Kleinmond in the Western Cape.
1 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
New or used? A practical guide to second-hand farm equipment
Second-hand farm machinery can deliver excellent value, if you know what to look for. Western Cape equipment broker Debbie Smit gave Lindi Botha practical advice to help farmers decide when to buy new, when pre-owned is the smarter choice, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls that often catch buyers off-guard.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The story of the Drakensberger beef cattle breed's evolution in Africa
The Drakensberger cattle breed has been part of the South African landscape for ages. So-called black indigenous cattle existed in South Africa as early as the 15th and 16th centuries and formed the foundation of the current Drakensberger beef cattle breed.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Man vs machine - which works best in SA's farming sector?
South African farmers have embraced both mechanisation and staffing solutions to improve farm level efficiency. Sabrina Dean investigated the pros and cons of both and filed this report.
9 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SA's poultry industry must be more inclusive and sustainable
In spite of great progress made over the past 30 years in South Africa's poultry value chain, setbacks such as avian influenza and trade restrictions are calling for official intervention
2 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
An introduction to forward contracts and commodity futures for South African farmers
The agriculture sector is notoriously volatile, but producers can find stability using financial derivative tools. This article clearly defines and differentiates between two key instruments: forward contracts and futures contracts.
3 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Less tillage, more life: the machines and techniques behind soil recovery
Soil health is the foundation of global food security, environmental quality, and agricultural sustainability. According to expert Dr Hendrik Smith, reversing the cycle of soil degradation requires the continuous application of regenerative conservation agriculture principles, with no-tillage cultivation being nonnegotiable.
4 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Five Joburg hotels that make business a pleasure
Even with its well-documented problems, Johannesburg remains the centre of business in South Africa. And unlike some cities with their mountains and oceans, you'll get value and quality for a fraction of the price at these hotels. There are also great views in the mix. By .
6 mins
January 2-9, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size