Question NW71 to the Minister of Agriculture
05 August 2024 - NW71
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture
What is the (a) agricultural net export minus other products and commodities and (b) total net amount that comes directly from black-owned production?
Reply:
(a) The export value of agricultural products surged to R55.8 billion in Quarter 1:2024, marking a 14.4% increase relative to Quarter 1: 2023. The strong export earnings were attained despite obstacles in our ports and in key export markets. The import value of agricultural products rose to R29.8 billion, marking a 2.4% increase relative to Quarter 1: 2023. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, South Africa experienced a notable 9.2% growth in net exports of agricultural commodities, while comparing Quarter 1:2023 and Quarter 1: 2024, South Africa recorded a notable 31.9% growth in net exports of agricultural commodities. The 31.9% growth in net exports of agricultural commodities is driven by a 14.4% increase in exports of grapes, apples and maize emerging as the top export products dominating the export list.
(b) The National Agricultural Marketing Council established that about 8.1% of commercial agricultural production was produced by black farmers between 2015 and 2019, and the rest were white farmers. This has gradually increased to 10.3% between 2019 and 2023.
Total Net Exports of Agricultural products in Quarter 1:2024 is R26 048 372 000.
The total net amount from black-owned production is R26 829 823 16.
