South Africa Remains Vulnerable To Major Global Food Pricing

According to data from the South African Chamber of Agriculture (Agbiz)

South Africa's agricultural exports reached a record value of about US$12.4 billion in 2021, about half of its annual value, despite the semi-arid state of most of the country, according to the website of the Independent Media of South Africa on 20 April. maize, citrus, nuts, berries, grapes, wool, juices, beef, apples and pears; and a diverse range of export markets across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. However, South Africa's agricultural sector is unable to produce all of the country's needs, and in 2021 South Africa's agricultural imports amount to US$6.9 billion, with palm oil, rice, wheat, poultry meat and whisky and other spirits ranking in the top five, accounting for approximately 30% of all imports. 

South Africa does not have the climate to increase production of palm oil, rice and wheat, and imports all of the palm oil and rice consumed each year, and about half of the wheat.