Introduction

South Africa has a dual agricultural economy, with both well-developed commercial farming and more subsistence-based small-scale production.

Covering 1.2-million square kilometers of land, South Africa is one-eighth the size of the United States and has seven climatic regions, from Mediterranean to subtropical to semi-desert.

This biodiversity, together with coastline 3 000 kilometers long and served by eight commercial ports, favours the cultivation of a highly diverse range of marine and agricultural products, from deciduous, citrus and subtropical fruit to grain, wool, cut flowers, livestock and game.

While 12% of South Africa’s land can be used for crop production, only 22% of this is high-potential arable land. The greatest limitation is the availability of water, with uneven and unreliable rainfall. Around 1.3-million hectares are under irrigation, and around 50% of South Africa’s water is used for agriculture.

Agricultural activities range from intensive crop production and mixed farming in winter rainfall and high summer rainfall areas to cattle ranching in the bushveld and sheep farming in the arid regions. Maize is most widely grown, followed by wheat, sugar cane and sunflowers. Citrus and deciduous fruits are exported, as are locally produced wines and flowers.

South Africa is not only self-sufficient in virtually all major agricultural products but is also a net food exporter. It is also the leading exporter of protea cut flowers, which account for more than half of proteas sold on the world market.

Other important export groups are wine, citrus, maize, grapes, sugar, apples, pears and quinces. Important export products include agro-processing products, such as under matured ethyl alcohol and hides and skins.