South Africa’s agricultural sector experienced a sharp 28.8% decline in performance in the third quarter of 2024, attributed to a mid-summer drought, with the extent of the decrease surprising analysts. A rapid assessment by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) revised the year-to-date decline to 5-6%, rather than the official figure of 15.5%, and projected a 4.8% annual contraction for 2024, closer to earlier forecasts. In response the Department of Agriculture will launch a new Agricultural Conditions Assessment Committee in 2025 to improve data quality and provide regular updates on the sector’s performance.

Image courtesy of interviewee. December 22, 2024