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South Africa :
a land of contrasts
The “rainbow” nation, as Reverend Desmond Tutu liked to call it, South Africa has a wealth of diversity in terms of its population, landscape and cultural heritage. It still faces many challenges as an emerging country and the leading economy of the African continent.
The southernmost country of the African continent, South Africa has a surface area of 1 219 912 square kilometres. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and by the Indian Ocean on the east, it is crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn in the north. The neighbouring countries are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and Lesotho, both enclaves within South African territory. South Africa is divided into nine provinces, with Pretoria as the administrative capital: Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. The country has about 49 320 500 inhabitants, with 79% black Africans, 9.5% Europeans, 8.9% mixed-race and 2.6% Indian.
From north to south, the latitude determines a tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean climate (located in the Cape region). The oceanic influences produce abundant rains on the east coast and very low rainfall on the west coast, which explains the population spread. The average altitude is 3 000 m and the country’s highest mountain is Thabana Ntlenyana (3 482 m). The North West is occupied by the Kalahari Desert, which also extends into Botswana and Namibia, representing about a million square kilometres. Thanks to the great variety of its landscapes (forest, desert, savannah, scrubland, mountain, coast, etc.) there is a highly diversified fauna (whales, dolphins, sharks, pinnipeds, wild game, etc.) and flora (18 000 species of vascular plants of which 80% are endemic). South Africa is one of the countries with the largest biodiversity in the world.
A young democracy
About 40 000 year before our era, its first inhabitants were the Sans (also called Boschminans) and the Khoikhoi, then came the Bantu who emigrated from the Niger delta at the start of the Christian era. The Portuguese explorer, Barthelemy Diaz, was the first to reach the Cape of Good Hope. In the 17th century, the European colonisation opened an era of difficult cohabitation,
with Dutch and later French Protestants emigrating after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Marked by numerous wars, riots and forced migrations, the South African Union came into being in 1910 and became the Republic of South Africa in 1961. The policy of apartheid was introduced in 1948 and condemned by the United Nations; it was abolished in 1991, and in 1994 Nelson Mandela became the country’s first black African president. Jacob Zuma is the new president since May 2009, succeeding from Kgalema Motlanthe.
An important economy
Since its democratization and the lifting of the economic sanctions imposed by the international community, South Africa has gone through some radical socio-economic transformations designed to create a market economy that is more open, better integrated to the global economy. Despite structural or temporary difficulties and a currency (the Rand) depreciated in relation to the dollar and the euro, South Africa remains the largest economy of the African continent, both modern and diversified. The service sector is very developed and contributes 57% of the national wealth.
The country is also one of the world leaders in the mining sector (platinum, gold, chrome, diamonds, etc.). The food processing industry is one of the most developed in the world. The sector employs almost 220 000 people and accounts for 20% of manufacturing GDP. Out of the 1 900 companies, eight account for 66% of total sales of food products. The meat processing sector is the largest industry, with 25% of the total value of the South African food sector.
Fishery remains a secondary sector in the South African economy (1% of GDP) despite the 3 000 km of coastline. In 2008, the total catch came to 830 000 tons. The principal species fished are anchovy, sardine, hake, squid and Cape crayfish. In the case of the last two, 90% of volumes are exported to the USA and the EU.
Agriculture is an essential sector
Spread over a surface area of 105 million hectares, the farming sector accounts for 2.8% of South African GDP and employs about 6% of the working population. The climatic conditions and the lack of irrigation systems restrict sowing to 12.9 million hectares, leading to a variation in farm production from one year to another. South African agriculture is characterized by its dual nature, with export-geared commercial farms coexisting with family farms (subsistence farming). It is highly diversified; its principal activities are field crops, animal husbandry and horticulture. The production of wine and fruit (a major part of which is exported to Europe and the USA off-season) has experienced the sharpest increase in the last ten years.
While maize has become the country’s main cereal production with 11.8 million tons (2008), South Africa nonetheless has to import maize from Argentina to cover its needs. Similarly, it has to increase its wheat imports (USA, Argentina, Australia and Germany) despite a growing harvest (2 million tons in 2008). As it has a well-developed processing industry, it imports raw materials like rice principally (India, Pakistan, Thailand) because it consumes more than it produces (3 000 tons in 2008). On the other hand, South Africa is one of the world’s top ten producers in sugar cane (21.3 million tons).
Quality fruit and vegetables
South Africa proposes a complete range of fruit all year long thanks to the diversity of its climates. Fruit production has been rising for several years. It is geared to export (40% of apples and 60% of oranges) and growing demand from importing countries is driving the sector. In 2008, the country produced 1.3 million tons of oranges, 720 000 tons of apples and 350 000 tons of pears. It is among the world’s top five exporters for avocados, grapefruit, mandarins, plums and lemons (110 000 tons exported, including 63 700 tons to the EU for a total production of 193 650 tons in 2008). South Africa supplies about 40% of EU eating grape imports (175 000 tons). Representing the 4th largest source of farming income, vegetables are almost entirely grown for the domestic
market (1.8 million tons of potatoes, 456 000 tons of tomatoes, 408 000 tons of onions, etc.) and less than 5% are exported as fresh produce. However, South Africa is one of the world’s largest exporters of tinned fruit and vegetables. South Africa is a great horticultural country and it exports over one third of its production (roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, bulbs, protea, gypsophila, etc.). In 2008, exports of cut flowers totalled 28 million dollars and bulb and tuber exports came to nearly 6 million dollars. The majority of the production is in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces, except for export production, which is concentrated in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces (nurseries, cut flowers, potted plants, etc.).
Growing animal husbandry
Spread over 72 million hectares, animal husbandry is one of the principal farming sectors and livestock production accounts for 40% of GDP. In 2008, it broke down as follows: 13.8 million head of cattle (of which the principal native breeds are Nguni and Afrikaner), 28.6 million sheep, 7 million goats and 1.7 million pigs. For the last few years, poultry has become the country’s leading farm production with 546 million fowl slaughtered (mostly chicken).
The production of ostrich meat (90% of the world market) has developed due to a growing demand for exotic meats. Assured by a herd of 2.2 million dairy cows, dairy production breaks down into 56 300 tons of butter, 42 300 tons of condensed milk, 19 200 tons of powdered milk and 24 300 tons of cheese. The cheese market is growing significantly, with cheeses made from cow’s milk (Cheddar and Gouda mainly) representing 80% of the total, although goat’s cheeses have also grown sharply.
Reputable wines
The wine-growing sector is booming (3% of the world’s vineyards) and it ranks 9th in terms of volumes. In 2007, the production totalled 7.8 million hectolitres and exports came to 315 million litres. Vine-growing began in the 17th century with the arrival of the Huguenots. Concentrated in the south-west of the country, the vineyards cover 126 500 hectares and are deployed all along the coast, benefiting from a Mediterranean type climate. They are
planted on granite areas to the east, sandstone to the west, schist in the Klein Karoo region and on rocky, gravely slopes in the valleys. The principal grape varieties for red wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz (Syrah), Merlot, Cinsault and Pinotage (Pinot/Cinsault). For white wines, the grape varieties are Steen (Chenin), Sultana (table grape), Colombard, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Hanepoot (Alexandria muscat). The most popular vineyards are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia and Paarl.
A cosmopolitan gastronomy
South African gastronomy is influenced by the different cultures and culinary traditions of all the immigrants (particularly Malaysian). The first specialty is meat, served according to different recipes, such as potjekos (national dish, sort of pot-au-feu), waterblommetjebredie (lamb and Cape waterlily), biltong (dried meat for chewing), braaivleis (barbecue with boerewors, beef and pork sausages with herbs and spices) and bobotie (curried minced lamb balls with fruit and chutney).
As for fish dishes, the kingklip served with rice and lemon sauce is very popular, like snoek (a sort of smoked, salted cod) grilled and served with an apricot sauce. For desserts, the melktert (traditional cream pie) is served with tea.
Besides the Cape wines, South Africans like cane wine, witblits (80°-proof eau de vie from marc), Black Sambucca (sweet liqueur with a liquorice flavour), beers (Castel and Lion) and tea (rooibos or red tea).
Francis Duriez
Source : Ubifrance, Ambassade d’Afrique du Sud, Cirad, Librairie Gourmande, OCDE, Novethic, World Africa Business
Crédit photos :
Wosa ; Sat Moyo ; DR ; Cirad / Imbert ; Wosa / Erica Moodie ; Wosa / Dirk Peters
Pro reviews
Crédit photo : FD
Gérard Oudry
(General Manager of OG10 - Rungis)
“We are specialized in the importation of fresh ostrich meat from South Africa (90% of world production). In France, this market is growing steadily and the demand is very consistent during the holiday season, particularly at the end of the year. However, consumers are still relatively unaware of ostrich meat. It is red, like beef, and very tender, with excellent nutritional qualities (less than 3% lipids and rich in proteins). All our products are packaged in the original abattoir to guarantee perfect quality and traceability. South Africa is particularly dynamic and efficient in terms of food processing. It has naturally turned to Europe to export its products and it has managed to respond rapidly, and with great professionalism, to the requirements of the regulations imposed by the European health authorities.”
Crédit photo : FD
Jawad Hajjar
(Manager of Cedrus - Jawad - Rungis)
“As an importer of flowers and foliage since 1994, South Africa was one of our first suppliers, particularly with the famous protea, the country’s emblem flower. This country has learned to use the off-season to develop its market, with a floral production that is extensive, diversified and top quality. It is undoubtedly the richest, most beautiful and most extensive in all of Africa. This country supplies all of Africa and it has become an essential hub for export to the EU. South African flowers, foliage and decorative fruit are of excellent quality and they keep very well. With its immense flower supply, South Africa has become the Mecca of flowers in a way.”
Crédit photo : FD
Jean-Philippe Landrieu
(Managing Director of Penja - Cie des Palmes - Rungis )
“As specialists in exotic tropical flowers, we sell about 30 tons of flowers, foliage and decoration products a week, which come from about thirty countries and five continents.
We sell three types of products from South Africa; fresh flowers (including protea cultivated 100 km from the Cape and shipped by air to Paris), foliage and ferns (cut wild or semi-cultivated) and ostrich eggs (plain or dyed) and feathers. This country is among our top five suppliers and its products have developed a lot, both in terms of quantity and quality. The South Africans have a dynamic economy, a good commercial approach and what’s more, they have good farming techniques and an excellent air transport network. The future is promising for South Africa.”
Crédit photo : FD
Philippe Pons
(President of the Chambre Syndicale des Importateurs de Fruits (fruit importers employers federation) and Chairman and CEO of AZ France)
“The main business of AZ France is importing and ripening bananas (1/3 of the activity) and importing tropical and off-season fruit. Our line carries about 60 listed products and our flagship products are bananas, pineapples, apples and pears. In 2009, we handled just over 158,000 tons of fruit via our five sites (Rungis, Cavaillon, Tours, Rouen, Metz). Our sourcing is Latin American and Africa, including South Africa, where we have been present since 1994, for a market share of 6,500 tons of fruit (citrus, grapes, plums and, to a lesser extent, apples and pears).
South Africa is a very well organized country in terms of exports, in terms of the quality of the products, but also in terms or sea or air transport and the control bodies. This country has specialized in product lines and it exports citrus, apples and pears and grapes to France. South Africa is an excellent partner for trade and long-term relationships built on trust and it supplies us with a range of top quality products that we don’t find in the northern hemisphere.”
Crédit photo : FD
Sithembele Kelembe
(Minister of Agriculture – South Africa)
“Besides the very strong sectors of our economy, such as services (tourism, finance) and industry (mining, cars, etc.), the South African government set some priorities, with securing agricultural supply to meet the population’s food needs. Today, our agriculture is structured into large farms run by the white population with a view to exports, and small farms owned by the black population for national and domestic food consumption. This duality is not conducive to an overall, harmonious development of our agriculture and the price for this sector’s improvement is a concentration of operators. In terms of value, animal husbandry makes the greatest contribution to our agriculture, with wine, fruit and vegetables and horticulture, which have had the highest growth. However our country must continue to import agricultural products to satisfy national consumption. Our objective is to put the emphasis on innovation and farming and agribusiness research in order to improve yields, quality and food safety. We are optimistic about the future because everything is possible in South Africa.”
Crédit photo : FD
François Moran
(Manager of Tropibana/Atom - Rungis)
“We import and export fruit with countries in the southern hemisphere, particularly Chile and South Africa, by cross-trading. With South Africa, we deal mostly in apples, pears, clementines and grapes (red globe, rosé, white, etc.) We have been working for decades with professionals of Anglo-Saxon or Dutch origin, who fully master grape production and marketing. South Africa is the most westernized country in Africa and certainly the most developed, with products of excellent quality and a very efficient commercial and food sector know-how. Furthermore, this country is the source of new fruit varieties widely distributed in Europe. We have the best relations with this country and we want that to last.”
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