The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF), will host the inaugural South Africa-Italy Agriculture Business Forum from 9 to 10 June 2026 in Cape Town, Western Cape.
This forum marks an important step in advancing economic development through international collaboration, bringing together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from both nations. The business forum will be held under the theme, “South Africa and Italy building resilient, value-added agri-business partnerships: From the soil to the shelf”.
Minister Steenhuisen and Minister Lollobrigida will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to deepen collaboration in agriculture, agro-processing, innovation and market access.
Members of the media are invited to cover the event as follows:
Date: 9 June 2026
Time: 8:30–12:30
Media briefing:
Time: 12:00–12:30
Venue: Westin Hotel, Cape Town, Western Cape
RSVP
Email: RincertM@nda.gov.za
Cell: 066 084 6192
Enquiries
Ms Joylene van Wyk
Director: Media Liaison, Ministry of Agriculture
Email: joylenev@nda.gov.za
Cell: 083 292 7399 or 063 298 5661
#GovZAUpdates

