Published: 23/03/2021
Friday, 19 March
2021, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), together with
government – represented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)
– and also industry role players such as Agri SA, the African Farmers’ Association
of South Africa (AFASA), the Bureau for
Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and National African Farmers’ Union (NAFU), amongst
others, met to discuss South Africa-BRICS agricultural trade matters.
Friday, 19 March
2021, the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), together with
government – represented by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)
– and also industry role players such as Agri SA, the African Farmers’ Association
of South Africa (AFASA), the Bureau for
Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and National African Farmers’ Union (NAFU), amongst
others met to discuss South Africa-BRICS agricultural trade matters.
South Africa
views agriculture as one of the important sectors in its economic
reconstruction and recovery plan; this entails the potential expansion of
agricultural production which will be carried out through the master plans that
are in the final stages of drafting. The expected increase in output will
require export markets, as South Africa’s agricultural sector is export-orientated.
Friday’s
meeting of the BRICS Agribusiness Working Group was held in the spirit of supporting
South Africa’s growth initiatives. Stakeholders expressed interest in increased
market access in China and India for a range of products which include beef,
horticultural products and wine.
South Africa
remains a small player in the BRICS market, with BRICS countries accounting for
less than 10% of South Africa’s exports of $10 billion. The key hindrance has
largely been both tariff and non-tariff barriers. The BRICS Agribusiness Working
Group advocates for preferential market access which will address the
aforementioned challenges.
“We call on
policymakers to continue working with private sector players in prioritising
expansion of agricultural export markets, specifically engagement with India and
China,” said Dr John Purchase, chairperson of the working group. “These countries do not only comprise of
growing populations but also growing income and change in consumer preference,
which bodes well for the products South Africa produces for export.”
“The BRICS Agribusiness
Working Group looks forward to increased dialogue with government structures to
reach these objectives,” Dr Purchase said.
Enquiries:
Dr John Purchase
082 441 2308