According to the Agricultural Business Association of South Africa (Agbiz), dissatisfaction is growing in South Africa regarding South Africa's dominance in the agriculture of the entire region.
Introduction of import restrictions
There is growing concern in South Africa about South Africa's dominance in agricultural trade. Neighboring countries are increasingly imposing import restrictions in an attempt to stimulate their own agricultural sectors, Agbiz reports.
Vandile Sichlobo, Chief Economist at Agbiz, stated on Tuesday that countries such as Botswana and Namibia have repeatedly imposed temporary bans on agricultural products from South Africa, recently targeting fruits and vegetables. These measures are justified by the need to make way for local producers.
Conflict with regional agreements
Sichlobo noted that the countries taking such decisions are members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He emphasized that frequent bans on agricultural products from South Africa undermine the spirit of these agreements.
Despite understanding the drive to improve domestic agricultural production, Sichlobo believes that achieving this goal in a way that weakens regional economic integration is risky and creates uncertainty in regional agricultural trade.
Examples and alternatives
By mid-July 2026, two countries in the AfCFTA region continued to publicly promote the approach of restricting agricultural products from South Africa. For instance, the Governor of the Bank of Botswana, Lesego Moseki, called on his country's leadership to accelerate efforts to reduce dependence on food and other consumer goods imports.
Sichlobo added that while he understands Governor Moseki's arguments, the best way to accelerate agricultural development is through the use of agri-technologies that can be offered by South African agribusinesses. He cited the Citrus Growers Association of South Africa (CGA) as an example of how this can be done, as CGA shares varieties and expertise with the region to accelerate production across South Africa.
Mozambique's position and open borders
Sichlobo strongly recommended that industries avoid the practice exemplified by Botswana—regularly restricting imports of vegetables and fruits from South Africa. He warned that any policy aimed at increasing domestic reliance on food production must be carefully designed so as not to disrupt regional food supplies or provoke unnecessary food inflation in Botswana.
Mozambique's Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Albino, also recently announced intentions to implement import substitution and reduce the country's dependence on certain types of food imports from South Africa. Sichlobo supported these efforts, stating that both sides desire common prosperity in South Africa, and that Mozambique can learn from and adopt technologies from South African agribusinesses to boost its agricultural production.
He noted that improving agricultural production in Mozambique will positively affect the economy, as agriculture accounts for about 20–25% of Mozambique's GDP. However, methods for expanding agriculture in the region should not encourage irregular protectionist trade practices. Sichlobo concluded that borders should remain open for food trade while local governments, farmers, and agribusinesses work to increase domestic production. He stressed that South African agriculture should not be viewed as a threat, but as a key partner and supplier of essential resources, and that South Africa can no longer be the primary consumer of agricultural exports in South Africa.
