Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Pieter Mulder and United States of America Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary, Ms Krista Harden met today to discuss agricultural trade issues on how the two countries can cooperate.
In addition, they talked about the on-going technical dialogue for market access in livestock products and developing mutually beneficial positions in multilateral fora such as the CODEX Alimentarius.
Since 2007-2012, South Africa (SA) had an average negative agriculture, forestry and fisheries products trade balance with the USA of R1.2 b. According to Global Trade Atlas on average between 2007 and 2012, agriculture which constituted 81% of all agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports had an average of negative trade balance of R750 m with USA.
The top agriculture, forestry and fisheries imports of USA contributed 45% of all SA imports from USA. This indicates that there is a concentration of imports. The top 5 agriculture, forestry and fisheries products were 100 190 wheat (18%) 490 199 printed books, brochures, etc (11 %) 210 690 food preparatations contributed 57% and 220 830 whiskeys which stood at 5% and 470 321 chemical wood pulp which was 4%.
Contribution of SA exports under African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) has been fluctuating for the past three years, according to the Tralac ALGOA’s website. The contribution of SA ALGOA eligible agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports to the US has also been declining in the past three years.
Both US Department of Agriculture and the SA at the embassy agreed to increase bilateral trade by resolving outstanding sanitary and phytosanitary issues (SPS) for plant and animal products. South Africa has been negotiating with the Veterinary Authority of the USA regarding veterinary certification on certain products.
The veterinary authority of the USA proposed a draft general format for veterinary health certificates for the importation of products from the USA to SA. South Africa is awaiting for a response as amendments to this certificate were requested in September 2012.
The USA/SA bilateral relationship in the field of agriculture has strengthened over the past few years and remains on sound footing. The two countries have confirmed joint support for the Feed the Future Strategic Partnership for Food Security in Africa.
For media enquiries please contact:
Steve Galane
Acting Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communication
Cell: 083 635 7346
Tel: 012 319 7960
E-mail: SteveGAL@daff.gov.za
