Export opportunities for South Africa’s agricultural products are expanding within the Brics countries, as China, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have widened market access for various products over the past two years, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz). While Egypt and Saudi Arabia only recently joined the Brics grouping, South Africa has long prioritised increasing exports to Brics countries. Although the concept of a Brics agricultural trade agreement has not been fully explored, member states have been working diligently to reduce import tariffs and address phytosanitary constraints.According to Agbiz, even before the addition of new members, the original Brics countries were already significant importers of agricultural products. Between 2019 and 2022, the group's agricultural imports averaged $255 billion annually, with China accounting for 71% of these, followed by India and Russia at 11% each, Brazil at 4%, and South Africa at 3%. Despite these substantial agricultural import figures, intra-Brics agricultural trade has remained relatively low. Agbiz data indicates that the countries import a variety of products, ranging from soybeans, beef, maize, berries, wheat and fruit to wine and fruit juices. “South Africa produces some of these products in abundance and has surplus volumes for exports,” said Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo. “With Brics adding new members, the agricultural trade opportunities have increased. Egypt spends approximately $16bn a year importing agricultural products from the world market. These are mainly wheat, maize, soybeans, palm oil, beef, apples and pears, dairy, cotton, potatoes and tea, among other products. It is here that South African grain farmers, traders and beef producers should focus on increasing exports.”Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s agriculture minister and senior leadership in agriculture visited South Africa in search of grains and beef imports. Authorities and industry used the opportunity to showcase the various fruits South Africa could export to the Kingdom.
