Global conflict often feels distant — but for South African agriculture, developments in the Middle East can have very real consequences.
In this episode of AgriView, Wandile Sihlobo unpacks how the evolving situation in the region could affect key agricultural exports such as beef, fruit, and grains. With the Middle East and Asia together accounting for roughly 20–25% of South Africa’s agricultural exports, disruptions to logistics, shipping routes, and flights could put additional pressure on producers already navigating challenges like foot-and-mouth disease.
But the ripple effects go far beyond exports. Rising oil prices, fuel costs, and fertilizer prices could significantly increase production costs for South African farmers heading into the next planting cycles. With fuel already a major expense for grain farmers and fertilizer making up roughly 30% of input costs, volatility in global energy and supply chains could shape the economics of the 2026/27 farming season.
In this episode, we explore why geopolitical tensions matter for farmers — and how global shocks can travel quickly from distant conflict zones to the fields and food systems of South Africa.
