It is worrying that some countries in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) are restricting the import of agricultural products at short notice without communicating with the other countries about it, says Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of Agbiz.

By Nico van Burick, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

He says Namibia and Botswana are the big culprits in this regard. They have repeatedly imposed bans on vegetable imports since 2021. The latest ban was introduced on Monday, 8 December. Botswana wants to ensure residents buy locally. This includes a ban on, among others, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, onions, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, ginger, garlic and butternut squash.

Sihlobo says he sympathises with the effort to support local farmers and reduce dependence on South Africa, but he is uncomfortable with drastic policy changes without taking regional interests into account. “These countries are part of SACU and their actions hinder free trade and economic integration.”

XA Global Trade Advisors also says in response that an import ban is the wrong policy because crop production in Botswana is limited to only 3% of the country’s land. In 1991, Botswana officially adopted a policy of ensuring food security through imports because the country cannot be self-sufficient. So there is no reason to change a policy that has been successful.

Also read: Botswana’s vegetable ban ‘good for politicians, bad for economy’

The advisory service says agricultural production in Botswana is declining despite new technologies aimed at higher production, climate change and increasing amounts of non-arable land remain constraints. The ban will reduce imports from South Africa and it is not clear whether local production will be sufficient. In December 2024, a similar ban led to a 24% increase in vegetable prices in Botswana.

Sihlobo points out that the ban also has a detrimental financial impact on South African farmers who have been producing for the local market and the region for many years. “South Africa’s response will need to be sensitive but firm. Although this is a frustrating situation, South Africa should not be negative or arrogant but try to promote better cooperation and communication within the region.”

He emphasises that South Africa also benefits greatly from agricultural exports to Africa. With record exports of $13.7 billion (R238 billion) in 2024, African countries were about 40% of the destinations. For every dollar of agricultural products exported to Africa, 90 cents was traded within the Southern African region.