The South African government hosted the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission Business Forum recently where Zimbabwe was highlighted as a key export destination for South African agriculture with over $1 billion (approximately R16bn) in exports recorded in 2025. Agricultural experts have highlighted the importance of exports to Zimbabwe.
Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), said that the South African government hosted the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission Business Forum. “The discussions centred on firming trade, industrialisation, and the development of regional value chains. With agriculture accounting for 9.5% of the Zimbabwean GDP, according to the latest World Bank data, it is natural that the discussions also included the sector.”
Sihlobo added that the focus was on deepening value addition in both countries to achieve a more balanced trade.
“Indeed, Zimbabwe has been one of the most important export markets for South Africa’s agricultural products, ranking second only to the Netherlands. From an individual country perspective, Zimbabwe is likely the most significant export market for South Africa’s agriculture.
In 2025, South Africa exported agricultural products to Zimbabwe were worth $1.2bn (R16bn). This is about 8% of South Africa’s agricultural exports. Importantly, this equals the value of the agricultural products that South Africa exports to the Middle East or to the BRICS countries.”
Sihlobo said that of course, the agricultural products that South Africa typically exports to Zimbabwe differ from those exported to the European Union, the Middle East, BRICS countries, and other regions.
“The key agricultural export products to Zimbabwe are mainly maize, soybeans, prepared foods, bottled water, soybean oil, sauces and condiments, seasonings and spices, animal feed, wheat, preserved vegetables, and fruit juices, amongst other products.”
Professor Simphiwe Madikizela, senior lecturer in economics at UNISA's School of Graduate Business and Leadership, said that he agrees that Zimbabwe is a key export market for South African agriculture, and the latest trade data makes that case quite strongly.
“According to the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), Zimbabwe was South Africa’s second-largest agricultural export market globally in the first quarter of 2026 and the largest on the African continent, with agricultural exports worth approximately US$1.1bn. Zimbabwe accounted for about 9% of South Africa’s agricultural exports in the first quarter of 2026.”
Madikizela added that he agrees that Zimbabwe is a key export market for South African agriculture.
“In fact, I would argue that Zimbabwe is strategically important, not only because of the size of the market, but because of its geographical proximity and the role it plays in South Africa’s agricultural value chains.”
Madikizela said that there is also a strong structural reason for this relationship.
“Zimbabwe periodically experiences production shortfalls, particularly because of drought and other constraints in its agricultural sector. This creates demand for products such as maize, vegetables, wheat, and processed food, where South Africa has significant production and logistical advantages. For example, NAMC data shows that Zimbabwe accounted for 57.45% of South Africa’s maize exports in 2024, illustrating just how important the Zimbabwean market can be for particular commodities.”
Madikizela concluded that what makes the relationship particularly important is that it works both ways. “South Africa needs reliable export markets for its farmers, while Zimbabwe needs reliable supplies of food and agricultural inputs.
"This creates an opportunity to move beyond simply selling finished agricultural products and develop regional agricultural value chains involving seeds, fertiliser, machinery, technology, irrigation, logistics, and agro-processing. I therefore see the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission Business Forum as an important platform.”
Dawie Maree, head of FNB agriculture marketing and information, said that Zimbabwe can be a key export country for SA products. “This is true in periods when Zimbabwe has low production of commodities such as maize, etc. And it should be cheaper to export to Zimbabwe than to other countries, such as China.That is in theory, if the border posts operate optimally.”
Maree added that the Zimbabwean economy however is also not as strong as it should be, thus demand for our export products, apart from grains and staple products, is not that high. “But if their economy grows, then the situation can turn around.”
yogashen.pillay@nationalmg.co.za
THE NATIONAL
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