This is especially true with respect to agriculture, as there are questions and concerns around how the locking down of countries worldwide has impacted farmers and food supply.
While the value of South Africa’s exportable agricultural commodities to countries around the world declined 8,8% in 2019 to $9,8 billion (about R166 billion), the picture has improved somewhat in 2020 as a result of favourable weather conditions, which have helped farmers increase summer crop plantings, improving prospects for higher outputs.
After facing trying times in 2019 as a result of drought conditions, this will come as a relief to farmers who will thus be able to meet the demand of our trading partners in Asia and Europe.
The Chinese government has issued a mandate to import significantly higher volumes of agricultural products such as citrus, nuts and wines, among others, from Africa. This is to meet the evolving consumer demands in China and has the potential to help strengthen South Africa’s export position.
The lifting of the ban on meat products following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which has brought much pain to the sector by curtailing output, has now also allowed for South Africa’s meat products to move freely.