Exporting

Introduction

Farmers in the 21st Century are greatly influenced by international commodity markets, the exchange rates, and the flow of produce between countries. The domestic price of commodities in most countries is very close to import parity (the landed price of an imported product) as farmers compete with each other for markets.

A growth in exports will be crucial to this country meeting its job creation goals and balancing its trade deficit (when we import more than we export).

As long as the global economic system creates countries that are better able to produce products more efficiently (and cheaper) than others, the world trade system – and exporting – will continue unabated.

International business environment

Find information on main trade agreements between South Africa and the rest of the world on websites like www.thedtic.gov.za,  www.sars.gov.za, www.sacu.int and www.agbiz.co.za.

Visit the Trade Law Centre (Tralac) website at www.tralac.org for Trade Data Analysis on the different African countries, and various reports and publications.

Read the African Development Bank African Economic Outlook page at www.afdb.org/en/knowledge/publications/african-economic-outlook/

Find articles on the progress of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under the “Some articles” sub-heading at the bottom of this page. See also the AfCFTA website, https://au-afcfta.org.

 

South Africa: imports and exports

Our agri-food export markets are diverse, spreading across the African continent (44%), Asia and the Middle East (21%), the EU (19%) and the Americas (6%). The rest of the world (which includes the UK) makes up the last 10% (Sihlobo, 2025). Exports reached a new record of US$13,7 billion in 2024. Citrus, grapes, maize, apples and pears, wine, nuts, wine, fruit juices, sugar, berries, dates, pineapples, avocados, wool, apricots and peaches, ciders, and beef were some of the top exportable products. The top imported products were rice, palm oil, wheat, poultry, and whiskies (Sihlobo, 2025).

The following should be priority markets for expanding agricultural exports: BRICS+ countries (like China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt), South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Mexico, the Philippines and Bangladesh. They have sizeable populations and are large importers of agricultural products (Sihlobo, 2025).

Further reference:

Trade terms (Incoterms)

Incoterms are standard trade definitions most commonly used in international sales contracts. Devised and published by the International Chamber of Commerce, they are at the heart of world trade.

Incoterms include:

CIFCost, Insurance and Freight
CPTCarriage paid to
DDUDelivered Duty Unpaid
EXWEx Works
FOBFree On Board

Visit the website of the International Chamber of Commerce for more information – www.iccwbo.org/incoterms.

Incoterms® 2020 Explained for Import Export Global Trade

South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Find the SARS page for exporters at www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/registration-licensing-and-accreditation/exporters/.

All importers and exporters in South Africa are required to register with the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Forms are to be submitted to the SARS office closest to the area in which the applicant’s head office is situated. Upon registration, applicants are issued with a unique customs code number. The registration process normally takes about two to three weeks. Contact details of head office, Revenue Branch Offices (provincial), Customs Offices and more are on the website, www.sars.gov.za.

Find notes on the legislative framework (the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act 91 of 1964), on the website.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has played a critical role in the promotion of economic development and in increasing exports in selected target markets.  In partnership with the Provincial Investment Promotion Agencies (PIPAs) (see “Providers of financial services” page), it undertakes export promotion activities, specifically in markets that are aligned to South Africa’s international relations and co-operation agreements.

Find the “Sectors and Service” and “Trade and Export” options on the website, www.thedtic.gov.za

 

International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC)

www.itac.org.za

Find export application forms on the website.

National Department of Agriculture

In terms of the regulations and the Agricultural Produce Standards Act, 1990, approval must first be sought and obtained before agricultural produce can be exported from South Africa.

The regulations set out:

  • The approval process that must be followed in order to obtain necessary consent for export
  • Details pertaining to the pre-export inspection, including the inspection procedure and laboratory testing requirements
  • The fees relating to inspection and analysis
  • The appeals process offences and penalties

The updated Step-by-Step Export Manual published by the then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), was compiled with the assistance of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) and is freely available.

For notes on the different directorates, click on “Core business” at www.nda.gov.za. The following directorates are of particular interest to our exporting page:

 

Directorate: International Trade

The directorate works closely with the dtic. It is responsible for agricultural input for trade policy. It participates in trade negotiations and implementation of trade agreements, trade research and trade intelligence.

Directorate: Animal Health

This Directorate controls and certifies the health status of animals/animal products for import or export, including the provision of quarantine facilities. It also negotiates protocols on the import and export of animals/animal products.

Directorate: Plant Health

This Directorate ensures compliance with international plant health obligations and responsibilities, thereby creating an environment for safe imports and exports. Find the Import and export notes under the Plant health option at www.nda.gov.za.

Directorate: Marketing 

Directorate: Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Find the various Export certification procedures under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance option at www.nda.gov.za.

Directorate: Food Import and Export Standards

Directorate Inspection Services (IS)

All food business operators (FBOs) of legislated agricultural products of plant origin intended for export are required to register with the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of these registrations is to ensure that producers, packers, processors and freight forwarders are in line with the internationally set traceability requirements.

The Agricultural Trade Forum (ATF), established by the National Department of Agriculture, facilitates the entire agricultural industry with regard to international trade. It is housed under the Chief Directorate: Economic Development, Trade and Marketing.

Look for the government gazette notices at www.nda.gov.za.

Other government departments and state bodies

  • National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) www.namc.co.za The NAMC is involved in several ways here, from export promotion activities to supporting new agribusinesses in their endeavours to export their products. Read about the different divisions on the website.
  • Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) www.ppecb.com The PPECB provides a comprehensive service to exporters, which includes the inspection and approval of equipment such as containers, specialised reefer vessels and cold stores; monitoring loading processes and the en-route temperature management of produce. The PPECB was the implementing agent for the South African Pesticide Initiative Programme (SA PIP) and SA PIP 2. Smallholder farmers were trained on responsible pesticide use, food safety, agricultural practices and legislation. This was to introduce these producers to expectations of exporting to the EU. They constitute only a small percentage of those who export fruit and vegetables and so there is huge potential here.
  • Some provincial departments of agriculture work to identify export markets for agricultural produce in the province.
  • Reserve Bank www.resbank.co.za Several relevant contact details are available on the website
  • South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) www.sabs.co.za

The global Halal food and beverage market was valued at US$1.3 trillion in 2019, and forecast to reach US$1.38 trillion by 2024 (USDA, 2021). KwaZulu-Natal’s Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Ravi Pillay valued it at US$6.3 trillion in 2022 (Mokwena, 2022). The Middle East and in particular the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which import 80% of their food requirements, represents the greatest potential market for South African Halal Certified products. Another market is European countries with large Muslim communities (e.g. UK, France and Germany). The WESGRO document “Halal FAQ’s for food and beverage exporters” included contact details of halal certifying bodies. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has information on the halal value chain. See www.elsenburg.com.

Role players

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GOVERNMENT

  • Refer to the preceding headings

ASSOCIATIONS AND NGOs

  • Many Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) members are agricultural exporters. Find useful information on trade relations, trade agreements etc. at www.agbiz.co.za. Several documents specifically look at agricultural exports.
  • Some Chambers are geared towards trade between two countries e.g. the French South African Chamber – www.fsacci.com; the Southern African German Chamber of Commerce – www.germanchamber.co.za; Southern Africa-Switzerland – www.scsa.ch; South African-Netherlands – www.sanec.org etc.
  • Find a list of fruit exporters at http://fpef.co.za, website of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF).
  • Multimodal Inland Port Association (Mipa) c/o Warwick Lord warwick [at] lordsview.co.za
  • The Farm Animal Unit of the National Council of SPCAs monitors the export of live animals from East London and Durban harbours. Visit www.nspca.co.za.
  • The role of the freight forwarder, alternatively called the ‘shipping and forwarding’ or ‘clearing and forwarding’ agent, is to ensure that cargo is transported across international boundaries in the most efficient and economical way.

EXPORT COUNCILS

In partnership with the dtic, Export Councils have been given a forum to address all obstacles and proposals that may affect their ability to export successfully. This takes the form of a National Export Advisory Council, chaired by the Minister. The export council’s database may be found on www.thedtic.gov.za. Included are organisations like the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum, Farmed Abalone Export Council, South African Flower Export Council, Wines of South Africa (WOSA), South African Ostrich Business Chamber and the SA Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Council.

Various industry associations and Joint Action Groups are also involved. Find all contact details on www.thedtic.gov.za.

FINANCE

  • Commercial banks assist with export credits, guarantees and letters of credit. The Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation of South Africa administers an export credit insurance scheme on behalf of the dtic. Also involved are regional and province-specific state role players e.g. WESGRO and Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA). Find details of these on the “Providers of financial services” page.
  • African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund c/o Department of International Relations and Co-operation 
  • Look for Credit Guarantee under the Premium Listings. The purpose of the scheme is to finance small to medium-sized businesses which lack the financial resources to execute export orders. The scheme enables the prospective exporter to obtain finance from a number of participating banks.
  • The Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Limited (ECIC) is located within the Department of Trade and Industry. A project can qualify for 85% finance if a South African content of at least 50% of the total project value is achieved.
  • JSE Limited If you are an exporter, foreign exchange is one of your top risks. A rand futures market exists allowing agribusinesses and farmers to hedge themselves against negative movements in the exchange rate, reducing risks and uncertainty.

LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT

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RESEARCH, TRAINING AND CONSULTANTS

  • The export readiness training course by AgriAcademy SA is an agriculture-focused distance learning course for the producer who plans to start exporting.
  • Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) facilitates training workshops for SMMEs interested in exporting. 
  • The chamber movement addresses all issues affecting the business community, including exporting. Find out how your nearest Chamber of Commerce can help you.
  • The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (the dtic) runs the Global Export Passport Initiative, a training programme for companies and small exporters.
  • Top of the Class (TOC) is a well-known training programme for the fruit industry, initiated by the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) more than ten years ago. 
  • The International Trade Institute of South Africa (ITRISA) provides short courses and distance education: Certificate in International Trade, Advance Certificate in International Trade as well as National Diploma in Export/Import Management.
  • The Maritime, Ports, Transport and Logistics Academy (MPTLA) Offers short courses and management development programmes
  • North-West University School of Economic Sciences – Visit the website to see the offerings in International Trade.
  • The Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) is involved in programmes to build capacity. The Agri Export Technologist Programme is one of these. 
  • The South African Board of Standards (SABS) offers training courses for GlobalG.A.P. Find contact details under “Other government departments and state bodies” heading.
  • Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is a research organisation which has a focus on economic inclusion. 
  • TRADE RESEARCH Focus Area (based at North-West University) researches niche areas – focusing research on export promotion and identifying South Africa’s export opportunities. 
  • University of South Africa (UNISA) Centre for Business Management runs a 12-month, distance education certificate course in exporting is offered.
  • The various umbrella bodies like the South African Table Grapes Industry offer exporters information and services.

See Premium Listings for websites and for additional role players.

 

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

All provinces have trade and investment promotion agencies. Find their details on the “Providers of financial services” page.
 

International trade organisations

Publications

  • Fresh Fruit Export Directory – call 021 526 0474 or visit www.fpef.co.za.
  • Two publications from the then DALRRD (both downloadable): (i) Step-by-step Export Manual for exporters of South African processed fruits, vegetables and nuts (2014) (ii) The Step-by-step Export Manual for the South African Fruit Industry (2021)
  • The annual Food Trade SA publication from PPECB at https://ppecb.com/documents is is a good source for statistics. It also has a chapter on step-by-step export advice for the new South African exporter.
  • Download presentations from the “Wines Trade Awareness workshop by Directorate International Trade promotions & NAMC  2024” at www.namc.co.za.Presentations include “Export marketing (EMIA) incentives” and “Small business development relating to export readiness”.
  • Download the African Economic Outlook 2025 at www.afdb.org/en
  • Uniway Sourcing. 2021. A Complete Guide on Doing Overseas Business. Available at https://uniway-sourcing.com/sourcing-tips/a-complete-guide-on-doing-overseas-business/
  • Find the INTERNATIONAL Trade Probe, a joint initiative between the NAMC and the 
    Department of Agriculture’s Directorate International Trade, at www.namc.co.za. Each edition carries information relevant to exporting/importing.
  • Booklets and guides are available from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) e.g. Agreements, Trade Agreements and Preferential Dispensations administered by the South African Revenue Services.
  • Find the latest annual Africa Agriculture Status Report on the internet.
  • Uniway Sourcing. 2021. A Complete Guide on Doing Overseas Business. Available at https://uniway-sourcing.com/sourcing-tips/a-complete-guide-on-doing-overseas-business
  • The Exporter’s Manual is updated regularly by the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce. It forms the basis of its export management certificate courses. Visit www.jcci.co.za.

Websites

Visit websites of role players mentioned on this page.

Some articles

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