South Africa and Italy have taken an important step towards strengthening agricultural cooperation, with the inaugural South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum in Somerset West creating a platform for deeper trade, investment and technology partnerships between the two countries.
Held on 9 and 10 June, the forum brought together government leaders, agribusinesses, researchers and innovators to explore opportunities under the theme “South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: From the Soil to the Shelf.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said the relationship between the two countries is moving beyond traditional trade and entering a new phase focused on investment, innovation, agro-processing and job creation.
Agricultural trade between South Africa and Italy currently exceeds R650 million annually, with South Africa maintaining a positive agricultural trade balance. alone are valued at approximately R190 million.
However, Steenhuisen said the real opportunity lies in combining South Africa’s production strengths with Italy’s expertise in processing, packaging, technology and branding to create greater value throughout the agricultural supply chain.
Opportunities Across Regions
One of the forum’s key achievements was identifying practical areas for collaboration across South Africa’s agricultural regions.
In the Western Cape, opportunities were highlighted in wine production, citrus, fisheries, food processing and packaging technologies. Limpopo’s expanding avocado, citrus, mango and nut industries were identified as strong candidates for cooperation with Italian regions that have developed sophisticated fruit processing industries.
Mpumalanga’s macadamia and horticultural sectors could benefit from Italian expertise in precision agriculture, orchard technologies, smart irrigation systems and advanced packaging solutions.
Further opportunities were identified in the dairy and livestock industries of the Eastern Cape, grain production in the Free State and North West, and the sugar, forestry and subtropical fruit sectors of KwaZulu-Natal.
Steenhuisen said these complementary strengths create opportunities to build integrated value chains linking farmers, processors, logistics providers, researchers, technology companies and retailers across both countries.
Research, Technology and Investment
The forum also focused on expanding cooperation in agricultural research, biosecurity and innovation.
Discussions highlighted the potential for closer collaboration between South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Italy’s Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), helping to accelerate innovation, improve plant and animal health systems and strengthen resilience against future agricultural threats.
A major outcome of the forum is expected to be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Italy. The agreement will establish a framework for long-term cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, digital agriculture, agro-processing, technology transfer, extension services, seed development, soil health, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
The MoU will also establish a Joint Working Group to ensure that commitments made during the forum are translated into practical projects and measurable outcomes.
Building Lasting Partnerships
Beyond the formal discussions, the forum succeeded in creating new relationships between businesses, researchers and industry leaders from both countries.
Addressing delegates at a gala dinner at Idiom Wine Estate, Steenhuisen said one of the most encouraging outcomes was the enthusiasm with which participants engaged with one another and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
He noted that successful partnerships are built not only through agreements, but through trust, relationships and shared ambitions. As the inaugural forum concludes, its greatest achievement may be the foundation it has created for future investment, technology exchange and value-added agricultural growth between South Africa and Italy.