About Us

Mission Statement

The directorate contribute to the goal of the department in supporting a sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector, by creating a supportive environment for international trade to contribute towards growth, employment and income of all participants in this sector.

SA Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries exports by country (2019) 

Functions

The objectives are to improve international market access, fair trading conditions and increase the competitiveness of South African agricultural, forestry & fisheries producers, processors and exporters of all categories through participating in trade negotiations and implementation of trade agreements, trade research and trade intelligence. The directorate works closely with the department of trade and industry (dti). It is responsible for agricultural, forestry & fisheries input into the trade policy.

The functions that enable the directorate to achieve its objectives are:

• Advice on, develop and implement policies that improve access for South African agricultural, forestry & fisheries products to international markets.
• Negotiate favourable and fair trading conditions for South African agricultural, forestry & fisheries product traders in bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements.
• Provide policy advice and trade-related information to the Minister, departmental management.
• Undertake trade research and provide trade information to the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector.
• Undertake training and capacity building on market analysis.
• Represent SA in international trade-related organizations and forums.

SA Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries exports by destination (2014)

These functions are organised among the following five sub-directorates:

• Sub-directorate : Bilateral Trade Relations - Africa

The Africa Desk is responsible South Africa’s trade relations with the African countries individually and through regional economic organizations such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It monitors agricultural, forestry & fisheries trade with the continent, and develops and implements trade strategies that contribute to broadening regional integration, the South African trade presence in Africa as well as to the development of Africa, in line with the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development programme of NEPAD.

• Sub-directorate Bilateral Trade Relations- Americas, Oceania and Asia

The Desk monitors and analyse trade policies of countries in the mentioned geographical area. It further participates in trade negotiations/engagements with the countries in the mentioned geographical area The desk was involved and concluded an trade agreement between SACU and  MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), which are close to be implemented in the near future  It is currently engaged together with the department of trade and industry in exploring trade negotiations between SACU and India with the aim of gaining improved market for  value added agricultural products.

• Sub-directorate Bilateral Trade Relations- Europe, Russia and the Middle east

The Desk is engaged with the negotiations towards an economic partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU as part of the SADC group of countries.  It is responsible for the implementation of the already agreed SA-EU Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA). This agreement has been the legal framework for trade relations between South Africa and the EU since 2000. It is responsible for the implementation of the SACU-EFTA (European Free Trade Area) free trade agreements including the review of the agreements that is currently underway. The Desk is also responsible for the trade aspects of economic relations with the Middle-east and Russia.

SA Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries exports by product group (2019)

• Sub-directorate Multilateral Trade Relations

The Multilateral Desk implement South Africa’s rights and obligations under the World Trade Organization agreements related to agriculture, forestry and fisheries in collaboration with other directorates in DAFF and the department of trade and industry. Participate in some work related to trade of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and work of the International Grains Council (IGC), and other multilateral organizations with the focus on agricultural trade policy. It participates in the agricultural negotiations of the WTO Doha Development Round of negotiations in collaboration with the department of trade and industry. In this regard it engages with various alliance partners to work towards an equitable world trading system for agriculture with the focus on development.

• Sub-directorate Trade Research

The Trade Research Desk is responsible for monitoring and analysing trade in agriculture, forestry and fisheries products for optimizing the benefits of trade to the sector. It identifies the export constraints of the various agricultural, forestry & fisheries sectors and advises the Minister and management and the industries. Its key functions are:

• Trade policy review and advocacy to develop trade strategies.
• Facilitating the availability of databases and models to assess trade potential and the impact of trade agreements on the sector and national economy.
• Trade potential analysis, market research, trade intelligence and information to support and promote the exports of agricultural, forestry & fisheries products.
• Leveraging trade promotion support for agriculture, forestry and fisheries based on the research outputs.

The Desk utilises advanced international techniques in trade analysis and facilitates national capacity building in these techniques among economists and trade analysis.

SA Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries imports and exports 2019

For information regarding trade in agriculture, forestry and fisheries products please, contact the Directorate International Trade
at + 27 12 319 8452
DITR@daff.gov.za
www.daff.gov.za