South Africa’s agricultural exports to the United States climbed 26% to $161 million in the three months through June, driven by a strong harvest and higher global commodity prices, Bloomberg reported. The rise comes ahead of Washington’s imposition of a 30% tariff on South African goods on August 7, one of the highest globally.

The increase was largely supported by shipments of citrus, wine, fruit juices, and nuts. According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), the country’s typically large fruit harvest played a key role, with the growth far exceeding the usual quarterly expansion of around 9%. He also noted the significance of the US market for certain producers.

South Africa’s total agricultural exports for the quarter rose 10% to $3.71 billion, according to Trade Map data. Despite the recent surge, the introduction of the US tariff may limit further growth in exports to the country.

Agbiz has urged policymakers and businesses to focus on both opening new markets and safeguarding existing ones. Sihlobo recommended expanding trade with key BRICS countries—including China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—while addressing high import tariffs and phytosanitary barriers that restrict deeper trade within the bloc.

He also highlighted the importance of reducing logistical constraints by investing in port and rail infrastructure and improving roads in farming regions, measures that could help South Africa’s export-driven agricultural sector adapt to the new trade environment.