Natalie Cowling
Research Expert South Africa
Agriculture in South Africa - statistics & facts
South Africa has the largest agricultural land on the African continent. As of 2020, the country's agricultural land amounted to over 96 million hectares, representing almost 80 percent of the total land area. Of those, around 87 percent were classified as land under permanent meadows and pastures, while nearly 12.5 percent of the agricultural land was arable land. However, agriculture only contributed 2.8 percent of the GDP in 2022. This share was among the lowest in Africa, with the economy being more service oriented.
In 2020, there were more than 179 million living chickens in South Africa. Sheep and cattle followed, however, with a significantly lower volume of 21.6 million and 12.3 million heads, respectively. As of the same year, animals and animal products generated an income of 152 billion South African rands (8.75 billion U.S. dollars).
Since 2016, organic agriculture has followed an increasing trend, with more land used for organic farming. However, it was yet to reach the levels attained in 2009 at nearly 59,550 hectares, the highest since 2000. Cereals and grapes account for most of the organically farmed crops.
A diversified sector with abundant maize and chicken
The South African agricultural sector produces a wide variety of crops. In terms of agricultural production, in 2022, sugar cane and maize were the leading crops in the country, with about 18 million and 16.1 million metric tons, respectively. Corn plays a major role in the agriculture sector in South Africa. In 2024, it was the agricultural crop covering the largest harvested land area. Additionally, the country was among the 10 leading corn producing nations worldwide as of 2023/2024.In 2020, there were more than 179 million living chickens in South Africa. Sheep and cattle followed, however, with a significantly lower volume of 21.6 million and 12.3 million heads, respectively. As of the same year, animals and animal products generated an income of 152 billion South African rands (8.75 billion U.S. dollars).
Trade and organic farming
Agricultural exports from South Africa exceed the agricultural imports. As of 2020, exports continued to increase to reach 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, compared to 5.3 billion U.S. dollars of agricultural imports. Horticulture crops were the leading exports of the industry, with a value of 5.4 billion dollars. Among those, citrus, grapes, and apples contributed the most. Cereals ranked second, valued at nearly 1.05 billion U.S. dollars, with maize being the major exported crop in this category. On the other hand, the country imported mainly cereals (wheat and rice) and oilseeds, valued at 1.2 billion U.S. dollars and 915 million U.S. dollars, respectively.Since 2016, organic agriculture has followed an increasing trend, with more land used for organic farming. However, it was yet to reach the levels attained in 2009 at nearly 59,550 hectares, the highest since 2000. Cereals and grapes account for most of the organically farmed crops.
