There is a growing discontent in Southern Africa over South Africa’s agricultural dominance across the region; this was according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz).
There is growing concern across Southern Africa over South Africa's dominance in agricultural trade, with neighbouring countries increasingly introducing import restrictions in an effort to boost their own farming sectors, according to the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz).
Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at Agbiz on Tuesday said countries such as Botswana and Namibia have repeatedly imposed temporary bans on South African agricultural products, most recently targeting fruit and vegetables, arguing that the measures are necessary to create space for domestic producers.
“The rationale these countries use for their policy actions is to grow their domestic farming activities. Blocking South Africa to create space for their industries is the approach they deem necessary,” he said.
Sihlobo added that these countries are all part of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); the frequent bans of agricultural products from South Africa undermine the spirit of these agreements.
