South Africa’s agricultural sector recorded a trade surplus of US$2,14 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an 11,6% improvement on the same period last year. This is according to the latest quarterly agricultural trade report, the first edition jointly published by AgriCulture South Africa (AgriSA) and the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz).

Total agricultural exports reached US$4,12 billion, up 9,1% on Q2 2025, while imports increased by 6,4% to US$1,98 billion.

Horticulture remained the backbone of the quarter’s export economy, accounting for 51,3% of agricultural exports as the citrus season opened and lemon exports increased substantially. Strong performances were also recorded in maize, raw cane sugar, sheep meat and tobacco, while livestock recorded the largest proportionate movement of any sector, expanding 27,9% quarter-on-quarter as the red meat industry navigates market access.

At the same time, structural challenges remain. South Africa is experiencing the most extensive Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in its recorded history, which continues to keep key markets, including China, closed to South African red meat. Exports to the United States declined by 28%, partly because shipments were brought forward into Q1 ahead of tariff changes, and exports to the United Arab Emirates decreased by 26%. Africa and Europe together still account for 70,7% of total exports, highlighting the need for continued diversification and market access efforts.

“The second-quarter results show an industry that is adapting to a difficult global trading environment. Exporters are finding new markets even as traditional destinations become more challenging, but those gains will only hold if we resolve the constraints within our control, particularly FMD, port and rail performance, and phytosanitary market access,” says AgriSA CEO, Johann Kotzé.

Agbiz Researcher, Charmaine ka Makhaya mentioned that “while established markets provide relative stability for South Africa’s agricultural exports, emerging opportunities in Asia and the Middle East highlight the importance of market diversification and export expansion. Sustaining export growth will depend on improving market access, addressing trade barriers and strengthening South Africa’s competitiveness in international markets.”

Agbiz Fruit Manager Wolfe Braude notes that port logistics inefficiencies remained an issue, with citrus exports ramping up and pome fruit (apple and pear) exports still underway.

The report further highlights positive developments in export diversification and market access. Compared with the same period last year, agricultural exports to Vietnam increased by 153% year-on-year, Saudi Arabia by 90% and China by 30%. African agricultural exports to China stand to benefit from zero-tariff access, effective from 1 May 2026. The extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to the end of 2028 also provides near-term certainty, although South Africa’s continued eligibility remains subject to the annual US review.

Key Q2 2026 indicators

•Agricultural exports: US$4,12 billion (+9,1% year-on-year)
•Agricultural imports: US$1,98 billion (+6,4% year-on-year)
•Agricultural trade surplus: US$2,14 billion (+11,6% year-on-year)
•Horticulture share of exports: 51,3%
•Livestock exports, quarter-on-quarter growth: 27,9%

Report methodology

•Source: AgriSA | Agbiz Quarterly Agricultural Trade Report, Q2 2026.
•Underlying trade data sourced from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs database and analysed via the AgricultureSA.io platform.
•From this edition, the report uses the WTO / ITC agricultural basket: HS Chapters 1-24 excluding fish, together with hides and skins (HS 41), silk (HS 50), wool (HS 51), cotton (HS 52) and other vegetable fibres (HS 53). Forestry products are excluded from the headline figures and reported separately. Consequently, aggregate values are not directly comparable with the Q1 2026 report, which covered HS Chapters 1-24 only.
•Values in this release are in United States Dollars (USD); the full report presents both US dollars and South African rand (ZAR).