World’s largest economy loses ground as Africa’s largest economy records $2.14 billion trade surplus despite 28% drop in exports to America

A joint quarterly report published by AgriCulture South Africa (AgriSA) and the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) shows that overall agricultural exports grew 9.1% year-on-year to $4.12 billion, while imports rose 6.4% to $1.98 billion.

Driven primarily by citrus shipments and strong performance in horticulture which accounted for 51.3% of total agricultural sales South Africa expanded its global trade surplus by 11.6% despite trade friction with Washington.

The 28% decline in agricultural shipments from South Africa to the U.S. occurred partly because exporters shifted deliveries into the first quarter ahead of expected tariff changes.

At the same time, commercial ties face strain from diplomatic disagreements between Washington and Pretoria over land policy discussions and recent American visa restrictions.

Preparing the country for possible exclusion from duty-free US market access, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the diplomatic impasse in a report by Business Insider Africa.

President Ramaphosa stated, “Congress has decided that we should be kept in AGOA. What now remains is the executive,” before adding, “if we ever have a choice, we are not the first and only country to be taken out of AGOA. And I believe we will not be the last”.

Urging national preparedness, Ramaphosa advised citizens, “I need, as president, to prepare us if it ever happens. So we should not go out and jump off tall buildings and think that this is the end of the world”.

To compensate for lower sales to traditional partners in the United States and the United Arab Emirates, South Africa is expanding commercial relationships across Asia and the Middle East.

Agricultural exports to Vietnam climbed 153% year-on-year, shipments to Saudi Arabia surged by 90%, and exports to China grew by 30%.

Trade with China received a boost after Beijing introduced zero-tariff access for African agricultural goods in May 2026, though South African red meat shipments remain halted due to an ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak.

AgriSA Chief Executive Officer Johann Kotzé pointed to the industry’s flexibility in the AgriSA and Agbiz joint report.

Kotzé stated, “The second-quarter results show an industry that is adapting to a difficult global trading environment. Exporters are finding new markets even as traditional destinations become more challenging, but those gains will only hold if we resolve the constraints within our control, particularly FMD, port and rail performance, and phytosanitary market access”.

According to Agrisa, Agbiz Researcher Charmaine ka Makhaya similarly emphasized the importance of expanding into new regions, noting that “while established markets provide relative stability for South Africa’s agricultural exports, emerging opportunities in Asia and the Middle East highlight the importance of market diversification and export expansion”.