What's Happening?
South Africa and Vietnam have formalized an agricultural partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Deputy Minister Rosemary Nokuzola Capa and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang
Hiep. This agreement aims to expand cooperation across various agricultural sectors, including crop production, animal husbandry, research and development, technology transfer, and agricultural trade. The MoU builds on the success of South African agricultural exports to Vietnam, particularly in the citrus sector, where orange exports increased fourfold between 2024 and 2025. The partnership is part of South Africa’s strategy to tap into Vietnam’s substantial agricultural import market, valued at over USD 30 billion annually.
Why It's Important?
The agreement is expected to unlock significant new agricultural export revenue for South Africa, contributing to economic growth, rural job creation, and more resilient local economies. Vietnam’s position as a strategically located and fast-growing economy in Southeast Asia makes it an ideal partner for expanding South Africa’s agricultural export reach. The MoU reinforces South Africa’s position as the world’s second-largest citrus exporter and highlights the strong demand for South African produce in Asia.
What's Next?
The partnership opens doors for expanding existing trade volumes and creating opportunities for new products, including high-value niche items like mandarins and game meat. The agreement is expected to strengthen South Africa’s strategic presence in Asia and support its mission to broaden market access for South African producers. As the partnership develops, it may lead to further collaborations in other agricultural sectors and enhance bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
