Reviewing the achievements of South African agricultural exports between 1988 and 1997

Abstract

This article is a first attempt to understand the importance of the different export destinations and export commodities for South African agriculture. Knowledge of agricultural trade movements will make it possible to reprioritize efforts in an agricultural export promotion strategy. The article uses a technique called the 'growth-share' matrix which maps countries according to their significance in South Africa's current agricultural export picture (share) and the rate at which they are becoming increasing more or less significant (growth) in South Africa's agricultural trade. The results show that the EU has systematically declined in importance as export destination. Africa has increased dramatically during the sanction years, but flattened after 1993, but it maintained a high base. South Africa's greatest opportunities for export growth are Asia and the Americas.