Two respected analysts have weighed in on different aspects of improving South Africa’s agricultural exports.
State veterinary services are a critical, and woefully under-resourced, requirement, argued Lael Bethlehem in Business Day.
“This office, with both national and provincial arms, has a huge impact on exports. The state vet should really be seen as an important trade official,” she commented.
Bethlehem says the department is particularly weak in managing the systems that allow farmers to achieve phytosanitary certification for the export of meat, especially poultry.
“While we have good trade general access for agricultural products into Europe and Asia, we have been unable to negotiate the animal health agreements that are required to supply these markets.
“Officials of the department of agriculture play a role in these negotiations, to a far greater extent than trade, industry & competition. The office of the state vet is indeed a crucial trade office and needs to be capacitated such as one,” she said.
A more general view was taken by agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, a frequent commentator on agricultural exports.
In a blog looking at South Africa’s robust agricultural exports in the first quarter of this year, Sihlobo said heightened geo-economic tensions meant work ahead to maintain current export markets and expand into new ones.
“First, South Africa should maintain its focus on improving logistical efficiency. This entails investments in port and rail infrastructure, as well as improving roads in farming towns.
“Second, South Africa must work diligently to maintain its existing markets in the EU, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
“Lastly, South Africa should expand market access to some key BRICS countries, such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt,” he concluded.
