Trade tensions rise as neighbouring countries restrict South African agricultural exports
South Africa is facing growing regional trade challenges as Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique impose restrictions on its agricultural exports. These moves threaten to undermine the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and disrupt the free flow of goods essential for regional economic integration.
Trade barriers clash with regional integration goals
Wandile Sihlobo, chief agricultural economist at Agbiz, highlights that Namibia and Botswana, both SACU members, have unjustifiably restricted imports of South African vegetables. Mozambique, although not a SACU member, has also introduced similar measures.
“Trade restrictions undermine the spirit of trade integration and contradict commitments made under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to remove barriers by 2030,” Sihlobo explained. “Despite clear economic harm, South Africa has responded with restraint, prioritising dialogue.”
Maintaining regional relations is crucial
Sihlobo cautions that such restrictions threaten to unravel SACU, which plays a critical role in facilitating economic cooperation and trade among member states. Restrictions on agricultural exports could also hinder South Africa’s ability to negotiate global bilateral trade agreements aimed at boosting exports and job creation.
He notes that while boosting domestic agricultural production is a valid goal for SACU countries, policy approaches must not unfairly disadvantage neighbouring producers within the customs union.
Supply-side solutions over restrictive measures
In addressing these tensions, Sihlobo advocates for coordinated supply-side interventions rather than trade restrictions. Examples include enhancing production capacity, investing in value chains, and improving infrastructure across the region.
“Within SACU, free movement of agricultural goods is the norm except in cases of national security or health risks such as crop and animal diseases,” he says. The recent vegetable and poultry restrictions observed in December 2025 had no such basis, being motivated instead by national economic aspirations.
FFA Explainer:
SACU (Southern African Customs Union) is a regional trade agreement between five Southern African countries that facilitates free trade by removing tariffs and regulations within member states to promote economic cooperation.
Dialogue remains the preferred path forward
Despite frustrations, Sihlobo emphasises the need for constructive high-level dialogue to resolve trade frictions. Understanding each country’s priorities while minimising disruptions to trade is vital for sustaining the region’s agriculturally interlinked economies.
Given the significant volume of agricultural exports from South Africa to SACU (approximately 17% of US$15.1 billion in 2025), the urgency for resolution is clear.
Implications for Zimbabwean farmers and trade
Zimbabwe, while not a SACU member, closely interacts with regional markets under the AfCFTA framework. Trade disruptions within SACU impact cross-border agricultural flows and market access for Zimbabwean producers.
Zimbabwean farmers and policymakers can glean important lessons from SACU’s challenges. Harmonised trade policies, regional value chain development, and joint infrastructure investments are critical to ensuring resilient agricultural trade networks that benefit all countries in Southern Africa.
Conclusion
The escalating trade restrictions between South Africa and its neighbours highlight tensions between national economic priorities and broader regional commitments. Resolving these challenges through sustained dialogue, cooperative policy-making, and supply-side enhancements is essential to preserving SACU’s integrity and supporting the economic futures of Southern African farmers and agribusinesses.
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