By Alani Janeke
If South Africa were to lose its AGOA benefits and America was to impose high tariffs on our exports in the coming months or implement sanctions against the country, it would ultimately have the most significant impact on farmers and their farm workers.
Agriculture and manufacturing benefit most from South Africa’s involvement in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). In 2023, South Africa’s trade with the United States totalled approximately $21 billion (more than R386 billion).
The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, stated at a media conference on Tuesday that America remains a significant partner for South Africa. Should we cease to benefit from AGOA, or if sanctions or increased export tariffs are imposed against South Africa, the issue must be approached pragmatically.
“Those who will suffer the most will not be the politicians who made the wrong decisions over the past 15 years, nor the money-grabbers who engaged in state capture, but the farmers and farm workers – which is unfair.
“That is why I also do not understand the cheerfulness surrounding the announcements and statements of the past few weeks.”
Not a single farmer who wants to leave SA
Steenhuisen stated that he has travelled extensively across the country recently and has not encountered a single farmer who wishes to leave for America. On the contrary, he met both small-scale and commercial farmers who expressed a desire to remain in the country but needed his assistance to address issues related to roads, security, livestock theft, rail transport, and ports for the industry to thrive.
“Let me be clear. I do not wish to lose a single farmer from South Africa, regardless of whether they are black, white, Indian, or coloured. We cannot afford to lose any farmers. I am not surprised that people want our farmers, as we have the world’s finest farmers and farm workers.”
He said broadening the country’s export markets, thus reducing dependence on specific markets, is one way to mitigate the risk of punitive measures from America. He also hoped that should South Africa fail to sustain its position in AGOA, a new trade agreement would be swiftly established to ensure the continuation of trade between the two nations.
Steenhuisen remarked that the government of national unity should be given the chance to perform its duties and aid in the country’s growth and economy.
