South Africa’s agriculture sector faces disease outbreaks, rising input costs, and export pressures despite a positive grain production outlook. South Africa’s agricultural sector entered 2026 on uncertain footing, with disease outbreaks, rising input costs, and global geopolitical tensions placing pressure on farmers and agribusinesses. According to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), the first quarter of ...

The World Bank has warned that the scheduled expiration of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in late 2025 could significantly threaten African exports, potentially undermining economic growth across several Sub-Saharan African economies at a time when the region’s recovery remains fragile. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank ...

South Africa recorded a 26% year-on-year increase in agricultural exports to the United States during the second quarter of 2025, reaching a total value of US$161 million. This sharp rise was driven in part by a temporary 90-day suspension of higher tariffs, which allowed exporters to boost shipment volumes during the window. The export composition ...

Image:Winnie Pooe 26 August 2025: Land Reform: As discussions about the efficacy and direction of the land reform programme continue, there is scant attention being paid to the role that women are playing in the sector, despite women owning and operating approximately 20% of farming units – according to the Department of Agriculture – and ...

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition presented the current export challenges to the Portfolio Committee in parliament, emphasizing the potential impact if South Africa is removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Ongoing trade negotiations include proposals to maintain tariffs at 10% or less and preserve preferential market access for added-value products.Agoa’s ...

Overview of AGOA The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), established in 2000 by the United States, is a trade preference program that allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, to export certain goods to the U.S. duty-free. This program has been instrumental in fostering economic growth and trade relations between the U.S. and ...

Getty Images The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), established in 2000 by the USA, is a central element of the USA’s economic interaction with sub-Saharan Africa. The current term, valued between approximately $1.3 billion and $1.9 billion, concludes in September, raising concerns for South Africa’s automotive and agriculture sectors. AGOA provides duty-free access to ...