AgriSA Congress 2026 sets priorities for agricultural growth and competitiveness
The AgriSA Congress 2026, held on 14 October at the Irene Country Lodge in Pretoria, brought together agricultural leaders, government representatives, policymakers and industry stakeholders to establish a coordinated approach to addressing the challenges facing South African agriculture.
Under the theme "The Path is Clear", the congress emphasised the need to move beyond policy discussions towards practical implementation, stronger partnerships and measurable progress.
Following an extensive consultation process with its members, AgriSA formally endorsed five policy mandates covering land and development, natural resources, labour, rural safety, and economics and trade.
AgriSA president Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt emphasised that meaningful agricultural development depends on cooperation between farmers, commodity organisations, government and the private sector.
"You can farm individually, but you cannot build agriculture individually," he told delegates.
The congress highlighted the agricultural sector's considerable contribution to South Africa's economy. According to AgriSA deputy president Derek Mathews, agriculture has grown by an average of 3% annually by volume since the introduction of the National Development Plan in 2012, compared with less than 1% growth in the broader economy.
However, delegates warned that inadequate infrastructure, policy uncertainty and rising production costs continue to restrict the sector's growth potential.
Agricultural finance and land reform
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp, who delivered the keynote address, called for more reliable and timely financial support from the Land Bank, particularly for farmers operating on government-owned land under land reform programmes.
He emphasised that delayed financing decisions disrupt production planning and undermine profitability, while the inability to offer land as collateral remains a major obstacle for emerging farmers.
Aucamp identified blended finance as a potential solution and stressed that successful land reform must create commercially viable farming enterprises rather than focus solely on transferring land ownership.
Export growth and infrastructure challenges
Improving agricultural export competitiveness was another prominent theme. Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo emphasised that South Africa's agricultural growth has been driven primarily by improvements in on-farm productivity and expanding exports. However, both depend on effective government support, particularly in infrastructure development and securing international market access.
Aucamp highlighted recent progress in opening export markets, including a newly signed protocol allowing South African cherries to enter China for the first time, with negotiations continuing to secure access for blueberries.
AgriSA's economics and trade discussions also focused on the urgent need to improve port and rail efficiency, rural roads, energy pricing and biosecurity.
According to figures presented at the congress, South Africa's agricultural exports reached a record US$15.1 billion in 2025, while port inefficiencies were estimated to have cost the agricultural sector approximately R4.2 billion during the 2025/26 season.
For fresh produce exporters, these infrastructure constraints remain particularly significant, given the industry's dependence on reliable, refrigerated transport and shipping schedules.
Water security, labour and rural safety
Water management and climate resilience featured prominently in discussions, particularly as South Africa prepares for the potential effects of a strong El Niño during the 2026/27 summer season. AgriSA called for improved water governance, investment in ageing irrigation infrastructure, more efficient water licensing and stronger climate adaptation measures.
Labour was another priority, with the organisation proposing a more predictable wage-setting framework, improved agricultural skills development and a dedicated agricultural work visa to address seasonal labour requirements. The proposed visa system is particularly relevant to labour-intensive fruit industries, where harvesting and packing operations depend on access to sufficient seasonal workers within narrow production windows.
Rural safety was highlighted as both a social and economic concern. AgriSA called for stronger policing, improved intelligence gathering and closer cooperation between organised agriculture and the South African Police Service to protect farming communities and encourage investment.
Turning policy into action
A central message emerging from the congress was that South Africa already has many of the policies and industry strategies required to support agricultural growth. The challenge now lies in translating these into practical improvements.
AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé emphasised the importance of measurable outcomes, including improved farm profitability, investment, employment, export market access and rural safety. The five policy mandates will provide the framework for AgriSA's engagement with government and industry partners in the coming years.
For South Africa's fresh produce growers and exporters, the congress reinforced the importance of an enabling agricultural environment. Reliable infrastructure, affordable finance, water security, access to skilled labour and continued expansion into international markets will be essential to maintaining the competitiveness of the country's growing export fruit industry.
Sources
The article draws on AgriSA's official congress statements and reporting published following the event: