Agriculture and agri-processing are cornerstones of the Western Cape economy. The province is South Africa’s leading agricultural export region, renowned for the quality and diversity of its output and its deep integration into global food supply chains. From fruit and wine to rooibos, the Western Cape supplies consumers across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

References

Western Cape Department of Agriculture. (2024). Western Cape Agriculture Sector Profile, 2024. available at: https://www.elsenburg.com/wp content/uploads/2025/10/13October_2025_Final_WCAgriSectorProfile_2024.pdf [Accessed 9 March 2026].

Quantec. (2025). EasyData. Available at: https://www.easydata.co.za/
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Retail Brief. (2024). Global food spending to jump by 36% and hit $12.4 trillion by 2029.https://www.retailbriefafrica.co.za/retail management/global-food-spending-to-jump-by-36-and-hit-12-4-trillion by2029/#:~:text=The%20swelling%20food%20costs%2C%20which,hit%20$12.4%20trillion%20by%20202

SA Wine. Sustainability Seal: Pioneering environmental responsibility. (2024). https://sawine.co.za/the-importance-of-the-sustainability-seal/

Wines of South Africa. (2026). https://www.wosa.co.za/the-industry/overview/

Spandiel, OA. (2023). Karoo Lamb: GI Status holds global promise amid export hurdles. Food For Mzansi, 31 October 2023. Available at: https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/karoo-lamb-gi-status-holds-global-promise-amid-export-hurdles/ [Accessed: 09 August 2025].

South African Rooibos Council (2025). Rooibos industry information sheet 2025. Available at: https://saRooibos.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20240314_SARC-2025-Information-sheet.pdf [Accessed 08 October 2025].

Who Owns Whom. (2026). Database. Available at: https://www.whoownswhom.co.za/