‘Could provide an opportunity’ – South African farmers voice optimism over US tariffs at 57th NAMPO Harvest Day expo
From Viory
Global agriculture leaders and farmers gathered in Bothaville on Thursday for the 57th NAMPO Harvest Day, the largest agri expo in the southern hemisphere. Despite looming potential US tariffs on South African goods, local farmers remained optimistic about the sector’s future.
Footage shows expo attendees walking around the showroom, where new farming machinery is exhibited. Fat and healthy-looking cattle can also be seen resting in pens outside, while participants shear sheep for an audience.
US President Donald Trump announced on April 2 a set of reciprocal tariffs on a list of countries, including a 30 percent tariff on South Africa, before pausing the measures for 90 days.
“Any tariff is an issue. However, we also need to understand it’s not just us. So the whole world is actually empowered with tariffs,” said CEO of Agriculture South Africa, Johann Kotze, calling to view the tariffs as an opportunity.
According to agriculture economist Marlene Louw, one of the fields that could flourish is soybean farming. Louw claimed that due to the trade protocol between Beijing and Cape Town, a ‘substantial amount’ of soybeans has been exported to China since 2023.
“Given the robust crop on land that’s projected, we foresee that these trade disruptions could actually provide an opportunity for deep-sea soybean exports to China,” she said.
Among the issues that are disrupting national agricultural development, farmers named rural crime. Kotze stressed that it not only causes losses to farmers in terms of cattle but also strips them of possible investments.
“Rural safety plays into economic development. The moment that you are safe, you’re willing to invest,” Kotze explained. “Nobody is going to invest if there’s no confidence and trust, and confidence and trust in us is the opportunity to form.”
First held in 1967, the NAMPO expo has emerged as one of the largest annual agricultural exhibitions over the years.
This year’s NAMPO 2025 is scheduled to run from May 13 to May 16.
