Five of the ten economic sectors declined with the biggest drag on growth between the Q2 and Q3 of 2023 emanating from manufacturing and construction both with -0.1 of a percentage contribution, as well as agriculture with -0.3 of a percentage contribution.

Despite some of the earlier indicators pointing to a potential upswing in Q3 agriculture GDP, the sector surprised on the downside with a biggest and sharp contraction of 9.6% in Q3 of 2023. This was underpinned by a slowdown in economic activity for field crops, animal products, and horticulture products.

However, the bulk of the bumper harvest of the 2023 summer crops happened in the Q3 but the downbeat prices offset what could have been an excellent quarter. The total summer crop harvest was massive at 20.74 million tons which is 6.8% higher year-on-year (y/y) with South Africa’s biggest stapple at 17.06 million tons (commercial plus non-commercial) and 6% higher y/y, and soybeans up 24% y/y at a record high of 2.76 million tons.

On livestock products, we have seen a negative price growth for beef and pork with poultry mostly flat while overall livestock slaughter fell by 8% relative to the previous quarter. The livestock subsector also grappled with disease outbreaks such as the avian influenza in the poultry industry by mid-Q3 and given its sheer size of 42% of total agriculture gross producer value, any decline in the subsector activity makes a huge dent on overall agriculture growth.

Agriculture exports had an impressive performance with the value of export earnings jumping by 4% year-on-year (y/y) to US$3.9 billion. Maize continued to enjoy strong growth in exports with an impressive 8.5% y/y surge in volumes exported at 1.64 million tons in Q3 dominated by yellow maize (81%) followed by white maize (19%) according to the South African Grain Information Services (SAGIS) data.

Nonetheless, we still hold a positive view on the long-term prospects for the agriculture sector on the back of the renewed impetus to open export markets following the conclusion of deals for exports of avocados to China and the reopening of the Saudi Arabian market for SA meat. Moreover, the seasonal outlook has improved significantly as the El Nino scare seems to have dissipated with forecasts still calling for rains into mid-December which bodes well for agriculture. Farmers are even optimistic in the field crop category with the first intentions to plant indicating an increase of 2% y/y in maize area, the country biggest staple.

By Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist, FNB Commercial.