AFRICA AGRI MARKET

A surprising development in East and Southern African trade relations emerged in mid-April when Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, suggested that Tanzania could restrict agricultural imports from South Africa. The move caught many observers off guard, especially given the historically cooperative trade relationship between the two nations

Africa must urgently adopt climate-resilient farming practices to counter increasing food insecurity exacerbated by climate change, say agricultural experts and policymakers.

The South African government is urgently reassessing its agricultural export strategy after the United States imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 31% on South African products. Previously duty-free exports like citrus, wine, grapes, and nuts are now directly affected, shaking a sector that exported a record $13.7 billion in 2024, according to Trade Map.

Nigeria has launched a transformative agricultural development initiative with the groundbreaking of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Kaduna and Cross River states. This marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to revolutionize its agricultural value chain, attract private sector investment, and create jobs across rural communities.

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture has been updated by the Department of Agriculture regarding South Africa’s progress in implementing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The department confirmed that South Africa has completed all internal legal and regulatory requirements, signaling the country’s readiness to commence trade under AfCFTA.

Nairobi: The Kenyan government is distributing over 180,000 bags of subsidized fertilizer daily to farmers in high-production counties as the long rainy season approaches, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced.

When crop scientist Michael Frei grew up in Germany in the 1980s, television screens were filled with heartbreaking images of poverty, drought, and famine across Africa. The devastating Ethiopian famine of 1984 inspired him to engage in campaigns and fundraising, eventually leading him to pursue a career in agronomy, specializing in sustainable plant production and global food security.

Morocco exported a record 56,700 tonnes of avocados worth US$179 million during the 2023/24 season, marking a 25% increase from the previous year, according to EastFruit.

March 28, 2025 – The African soft drink market is on track for consistent growth over the next decade, driven by rising consumer demand and population growth. According to recent market data, the market is expected to register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of +3.4% from 2024 to 2035, with market volume projected to reach 156 billion litres by 2035. In value terms, the market is anticipated to expand at the same CAGR of +3.4%, reaching $105.5 billion by the end of the forecast period.

With its focus on strengthening agricultural investment and trade across Africa, the BRICS+ summit is set to create significant opportunities for growth, collaboration, and empowerment of smallholder farmers on the continent.

Faced with the worst drought in over 40 years, Zimbabwe’s small-scale farmers are turning to traditional, drought-resistant crops such as pearl millet, finger millet, and sorghum. As the Zimbabwean government shifts policy to promote these resilient grains, experts see a growing market and increased consumer interest—although changing preferences still pose a challenge.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) have renewed their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 18, 2025, in Addis Ababa. This partnership aims to advance sustainable agriculture, enhance regional integration, and build climate resilience while driving innovation and economic diversification across Africa