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The FAIRS Annual Country Report has been updated and summarizes the rules and regulations governing the import of food and agricultural products in South Africa. This report should be read in conjunction with the FAIRS Export Certificate Report to gain a thorough grasp of South African laws, standards, and import requirements.

This report has been updated to reflect the newest information and contacts relevant to exporting to South Africa. The Food and Agricultural Import Regulation and Standards (FAIRS) Certificate Report includes a list of the main certificates and permits needed to export food and agricultural products to South Africa.

South Africa is one of the most advanced and varied economies in Africa, boasting a strong business sector and advanced distribution networks to major urban centers in the country and throughout the entire Southern African region.

Previously exporters and importers of live animals and genetic materials only required a permit, but a new directive requires prior authorization from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s Animal Production Directorate before applying for the permit.

Although extension of anti-dumping duties imposed on frozen bone-in poultry portions from the US would typically mean business as usual as these duties are rebated under the tariff rate quota, a current de-facto restriction on applying general tariff rebates to poultry imported under the TRQ makes the announcement more concerning than usual.

The South African ports have been overwhelmed with challenges in the past few years, causing delays in operations and financial losses. In 2022, the Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank ranked the port of Durban 341 out of 348 ports in the world and the Port of Cape Town was ranked 344.

On January 26, 2024, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) together with the International Trade Administration (ITAC) announced the decision to implement a 25 percent rebate on bone-in cuts and 30 percent rebate on boneless chicken of imported chicken.

South Africa is an important market for agricultural products from the United States. The country is a favorable site for enterprises due to its developing market, which facilitates the effective transportation of both imported and domestically produced agricultural products to major urban centers and the greater Southern Africa region.

The Animal Health Directorate in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) released a progress report on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak that was first detected in the Western Cape Province in April 2023.

Based on recent changes to regulations, updated internet links, and revised reporting guidelines, all portions of this report have been updated.

This report has been updated to reflect the newest information and contacts relevant to exporting to South Africa. The FAIRS certificate report includes a list of the main licenses and certificates needed to export food and agricultural products from the United States to South Africa.

South Africa’s sorghum imports are expected to be elevated over the next two marketing years on lower production coupled with lower stocks as production continues to decline. Sorghum production in South Africa dropped over the past two decades as...