Based on the latest trade data recently released by US authorities, South Africa is showing solid growth in its agriculture sector exports, with a 16% rise in the year to June. This continues a recent trend whereby the sector’s exports to the US have grown from US$ 208mn in 2003 to US$ 250mn in 2005.

Two thirds of South Africa’s US-bound agriculture exports fall under AGOA and are thus able to enter the US duty-free (view the US-SA bilateral trade profile here). Segments in the AGOA category that have shown good growth this year include cane sugar, ethyl alcohol, wine and certain food preparations.

After citrus (oranges), wine and ethyl alcohol continue to form the largest export category, accounting for almost one third of total agricultural exports in 2006. 80% of these are so-called “new AGOA” exports; in other words, they did not previously qualify for GSP or any other preferences. Virtually no orange exports are yet reflected in the data (in line with previous years), as these are seasonal and take place mainly in the second half of the year.

Source: AGOA.info (www.agoa.info)

Latest AGOA Trade Data currently available on AGOA.info


Click here to view a sector profile of South Africa’s bilateral trade with the United States, disaggregated by total exports and imports, AGOA exports and GSP exports.

Other regularly updated trade statistics on AGOA.info include: (click each link to view)