South Africa and Brazil Sign Landmark Agricultural Cooperation Agreement
Viable News Team 
Somerset West, 19 September 2025 – South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Brazilian Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Luiz De Alcantara Rua have signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI), forging a new era of cooperation between the two nations’ agricultural sectors.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the G20 Agriculture Working Group (AWG) Ministerial Meeting in Somerset West, Western Cape.
Shared Vision for Food Security
Steenhuisen hailed the agreement as a turning point in agricultural collaboration, calling it “a testament to our shared vision for a food-secure future.”
“By combining our respective strengths, we can unlock new opportunities, advance technological innovation, and build a more resilient agricultural sector that benefits all our citizens,” he said.
While non-binding, the MoI lays the groundwork for greater cooperation in:
- Sustainable agriculture and livestock farming systems
- Food safety and quality assurance
- Knowledge-sharing through training, conferences, and technical tours
- Trade facilitation, including joint trade missions and exhibitions
Strengthening Trade Relations
The MoI comes as agricultural trade between South Africa and Brazil has grown significantly:
- Bilateral trade increased 80.5%, from R5.4 billion in 2020 to R9.7 billion in 2024.
- South Africa’s exports to Brazil rose 92.8%, from R142.6 million in 2020 to R274.9 million in 2024.
- Imports from Brazil surged 80.2%, reaching R9.5 billion in 2024.
South Africa’s top exports to Brazil in 2024 included:
- Vegetable seeds for sowing (32.3% / R88.7m)
- Liqueurs and cordials (22.7% / R62.4m)
- Wine of fresh grapes (16% / R43.9m)
- Dried grapes (6.3% / R17.3m)
Five-Year Renewable Partnership
The MoI will remain valid for five years, with automatic renewal unless terminated. A Joint Working Group will be established to identify focus areas, develop a work plan, and monitor progress to ensure the cooperation remains strategic and impactful.
Through this partnership, both nations reaffirm their commitment to building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agricultural systems while expanding market opportunities and addressing global food security challenges.
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