Across sub-Saharan Africa, banana producers are increasingly turning to processing as a strategy to reduce post-harvest losses and unlock new revenue streams, marking a shift toward value-added agriculture. Post-harvest losses for fruits and vegetables in the region are estimated at 40% to 50%, driven largely by limited storage, weak logistics, and market volatility. To address ...

Rising Trade Tensions Within SACU Growing trade restrictions within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) are raising concerns about the future of regional agricultural trade. The Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) has warned that recent export barriers imposed by neighbouring countries could disrupt agricultural flows and weaken the customs union’s core principle of free movement of ...

Rice export prices across West Africa recorded a mild correction in early April 2026, as buyers adopted a more cautious approach following recent price highs. The market remained largely anchored by Benin, which dominated regional trade activity between March 30 and April 3, supported by a broad mix of rice grades and steady demand. Benin ...

South Africa’s agricultural export sector, a critical pillar of the country’s economy, faces growing uncertainty as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt global trade routes and market access. According to agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, the region plays a strategic role in South Africa’s export landscape, serving as both a major destination for ...

South Africa’s maize exports remain weak as the 2025/26 marketing year approaches its close in April 2026, raising concerns that the country may fall short of its projected seasonal export target. According to the latest export data, South Africa shipped 39,584 tonnes of maize in the past week. Most of the grain moved into regional ...

The Egyptian government has intensified inter-ministerial coordination to cushion the impact of airspace closures in several countries on national exports, with particular focus on fast-perishing agricultural produce. The move comes as authorities closely monitor regional developments that threaten to disrupt Egypt’s external trade flows and logistics networks. In a joint statement released on Sunday, the ...

South Africa’s citrus industry is facing a delicate balancing act as export volumes rise while a stronger rand puts pressure on grower margins. The country is forecast to export around 206 million 15 kg cartons of citrus this year, up from 203.7 million cartons last season, reflecting the sector’s expanding production. However, growers are increasingly ...

South Africa’s agricultural export sector is projected to exceed $13.7 billion in 2026, following 10% year-on-year growth in the first nine months of 2025, according to a new report by Verto. The growth has been driven largely by high-value horticultural exports, including: Citrus Table grapes Macadamia nuts Horticulture continues to anchor the sector’s resilience amid ...

South Africa’s agricultural exports reached a historic $15.1 billion in 2025, marking a 10% year-on-year increase and extending the sector’s growth streak to seven consecutive years. The record performance comes despite a significant slump in shipments to the United States during the second half of the year, underscoring the sector’s resilience and its accelerating pivot ...

South Africa’s citrus industry recorded a historic export performance last season, with growers packing a record 203.7 million cartons for export, representing a 22% increase compared with 2024, according to industry data. While the surge confirms the sector’s strong production capacity, industry stakeholders continue to caution that rising volumes alone do not guarantee sustainable growth ...