Wandile Sihlobo writes on the potential of South African agricultural trade with Zimbabwe.
Towards the end of August, the South African government hosted the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission Business Forum. The discussions centred on firming trade, industrialisation, and the development of regional value chains.
With agriculture accounting for 9.5% of the Zimbabwean GDP, according to the latest World Bank data, it is natural that the discussions also included the sector. The focus was on deepening value addition in both countries to achieve a more balanced trade.
Indeed, Zimbabwe has been one of the most important export markets for South Africa’s agricultural products, ranking second only to the Netherlands. Given that the Netherlands is an entry point to the European Union (EU) with key ports, one can speculate that some products exported through the Netherlands are likely distributed to other EU countries, meaning that from an individual country perspective, Zimbabwe is likely the most significant export market for South Africa’s agriculture.
In 2025, South Africa exported agricultural products to Zimbabwe worth US$1.2 billion. This is about 8% of South Africa’s agricultural exports. Importantly, this equals the value of the agricultural products that South Africa exports to the Middle East or to the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China).
Of course, the agricultural products that South Africa typically exports to Zimbabwe differ from those exported to the European Union, the Middle East, BRICS countries, and other regions. The key agricultural export products to Zimbabwe are mainly maize, soybeans, prepared foods, bottled water, soybean oil, sauces and condiments, seasonings and spices, animal feed, wheat, preserved vegetables, and fruit juices, among other products.
Meanwhile, exports to other parts of the world would include fruits, wine, nuts, meat, and grains, all of which are less prepared or processed than those exported to Zimbabwe. South Africa’s dominance in processed food products also motivated the discussion of regional value chains.
Of course, Zimbabwe faces complex political and land governance challenges, making it difficult to attract investment in the country’s agricultural sector. The local authorities ought to do their part to improve governance and general infrastructure, thereby creating a conducive environment for higher levels of investment.
When such reforms occur and the rule of law is strengthened, there will need to be ongoing public communication to build credibility and enable investors to assess progress. This would also entail improving the country’s statistics so that it is easier for investors to gauge economic conditions and the reforms the country undertakes. This is critical for ensuring that Zimbabwe’s farming and food industry becomes a clear investment opportunity in the future.
For now, the trade route remains the most conducive path in the near term until the Zimbabwean authorities provide a clear reform path that gives investors the necessary comfort.
South Africa also imports various agricultural products from Zimbabwe. For example, in 2025, Zimbabwe exported $1.6 billion worth of agricultural products. South Africa was the second-largest market for Zimbabwe’s agricultural products, accounting for 12% of all agricultural exports. This was valued at $202 million. These included various fruits, tea, nuts, spices, and tobacco products. Other agricultural export markets for Zimbabwe included China, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Mozambique.
South Africa can import more products from Zimbabwe as part of efforts to balance trade. After all, South Africa spends just over $7.0 billion each year on agricultural product imports, mainly wheat, palm oil, rice, poultry products, and whiskies. There are also some fruits and vegetables imported, among other products. But that will require Zimbabwe to have products to export to South Africa.
This means Zimbabwe must increase its agricultural productivity over time on a range of value chains. This requires investment in various inputs and farm infrastructure, as well as legislation that embraces innovation and scientific advancement.
For example, we have in the past noted that various African countries, including Zimbabwe, were reluctant to allow the cultivation of improved seed cultivars, such as genetically engineered maize cultivars, in their staple grains. Yet, the countries were open to importing the products from South Africa for human consumption. Understandably, some may have wanted to preserve their seeds and avoid exposing smallholder farmers to annual seed purchases and the politics of the global seed business.
But the path to agricultural advancement requires revisiting this approach and enacting enabling legislation that allows input suppliers to provide Zimbabwean farmers with the best technology, enabling them to compete fairly with South African farmers.
In essence, the South African agricultural businesses benefit immensely from the Zimbabwean market. Engagements with Zimbabwe require the same level of acknowledgement as those with the Middle East or BRICS countries, since Zimbabwe’s export value equals that of these regions.
Over time, there is a need to boost shared prosperity in this region by importing certain products from Zimbabwe and exploring developments in regional value chains. But that will require Zimbabwean authorities to take the first step toward domestic reforms and legislative improvements that can reassure investors.
They also need to develop a stronger positive narrative that builds confidence in Zimbabwe, which, in our assessment, is currently missing.
Wandile Sihlobo is the presidential envoy on agriculture and land. He is also the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, and a senior research fellow in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University.
