The South African government is fast-tracking export diversification to protect jobs after the United States moved to terminate South Africa’s participation in the AGOA trade preference programme.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said government recognises the concerns the decision may cause for business, but assured industry that alternative markets are being secured.
Tau said South Africa is aggressively pursuing opportunities across Africa, India, the European Union and China, among others.He said the strategy is already paying off, with new markets secured for South African fruit exporters.
While acknowledging that AGOA remains important, the Minister stressed it is not the backbone of trade with Washington.”In 2025, approximately 89% of South African exports entered the US under ordinary World Trade Organisation most favoured nation terms,” Tau said.
The figures suggest the direct impact of the AGOA termination may be limited, as the bulk of exports already trade under MFN terms.
