South African farmers rank among the world's best—practical, resilient producers who deliver high-quality food and drive strong exports, especially to Africa, with 2025 agricultural exports hitting a record $15.1 billion (over half to African markets like Zimbabwe, which took 35% of maize).
South Africa is producing significantlyless wheat today than it did two or three decades ago, even as global wheat production continues to climb to record levels year after year.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has voiced deep concern over the mounting crisis in South Africa’s sugar industry, warning that the ongoing liquidation of Tongaat Hulett is creating severe uncertainty for the operation of critical sugar mills just weeks before the start of the April crushing season.
