South Africa Records $2.14 Billion Agricultural Trade Surplus in Q2 2026
South Africa posted an agricultural trade surplus of $2.14 billion in Q2 2026, up 11.6% year-on-year, supported by $4.12 billion in exports and strong demand in Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Surplus Expands on Solid Export Momentum
Official trade data released by AgriSA and Agbiz indicates that South Africa achieved an agricultural trade surplus of $2.14 billion during the second quarter of 2026. This figure marks an 11.6% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The expansion in the trade balance was anchored by strong outbound shipments. Total agricultural exports for the second quarter reached $4.12 billion, reflecting a 9.1% year-on-year increase. Concurrently, agricultural imports rose at a more moderate pace, growing by 6.4% year-on-year to reach $1.98 billion over the same three-month span.
Horticultural Products Lead Export Value
The composition of South Africa's export performance in Q2 2026 reveals a significant reliance on the horticultural sector. According to the data, horticultural products accounted for 51.3% of the country's total agricultural export revenue during the quarter.
Representing more than half of the $4.12 billion in total agricultural goods shipped abroad, horticultural lines served as the primary pillar supporting the net surplus position. The sector's strong showing helped maintain favorable trade dynamics even as import values moved higher.
Diversification Drives Growth Across Key Emerging Destinations
Beyond traditional trade corridors, South Africa registered substantial gains across emerging destinations in Asia and the Middle East during the second quarter of 2026.
Trade data showed prominent export increases in specific non-traditional partner countries, highlighted by a 153% surge in agricultural exports to Vietnam and a 90% rise in shipments to Saudi Arabia. These sharp upticks in demand contributed directly to the overall 9.1% export growth and reinforced South Africa's expanding commercial presence across international markets.
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