THE FUSE

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the strong performance of South Africa’s agricultural sector in the first quarter of 2026, describing it as a clear signal of resilience, competitiveness and global demand for local produce. The sector recorded export growth of 11 percent compared to the same period in 2025, reaching US$3.7 billion according to new data released by Agbiz. This performance comes at a time when global trade conditions remain uncertain and domestic logistical constraints continue to challenge exporters. Despite these pressures, South African agriculture has maintained steady growth across multiple value chains, reinforcing its role as a key pillar of the national economy. The minister said this result highlights the importance of expanding existing export markets while actively pursuing new international opportunities for producers.