Four ways South Africa can use to lift the global food security matters in the G20

Loading player...
South Africa, the only African country that is a member of the G20, holds the
presidency of the grouping until the end of November 2025. During this time, it could help drive the African continent’s food security agenda.

For agriculture, South Africa has set four G20 priorities:
* the promotion of policies and investments that can lead to improved food and nutrition security
* empowering youth and women to participate in agrifood systems
* fostering innovation and the transfer of useful technologies in agriculture
industries
* building climate resilience for sustainable food production.

These priorities could benefit the African continent, especially as many other African countries have long struggled with food insecurity and low agricultural productivity.

Based on my work as an agricultural economist, I would argue that South Africa could make use of its G20 presidency to support other African countries in building food security and raising the productivity of their agricultural sector.

Listen to the podcast for more insights.

Richard Humphries and Sam Mkokeli produce this podcast.
12 Apr English South Africa Investing · Food

Other recent episodes

South Africa’s agricultural sector may see an uneven recovery in 2025

We continue to see more evidence that 2025 will likely be an uneven recovery for South Africa’s agriculture. The horticulture (fruits and vegetables), and field crops (grains, oilseeds and sugarcane) are experiencing excellent yield recovery, benefiting from better summer and winter rains. But the livestock and poultry industries face some…
15 Aug 10 min

The Far East countries are back buying SA's maize

South Africa's maize exports are back in the Far East export markets. These aren't new territories for our maize. We typically export to them during the seasons of abundance, such as this one. Last season, we did not see many maize exports to the Far East. Our export activity focused…
8 Aug 10 min

SA's ample grain harvest may help ease food price inflation concern

South Africa's 2024-25 summer grains and oilseed production estimate was lifted again this month, by 2% from the June 2025 estimate to an expected 18.74 million tonnes (up 21% year-on-year). There is an annual uptick in all the crops, mainly supported by favourable summer rains and the decent area plantings…
30 Jul 11 min

Factors shaping the state of South African agriculture

Various factors, both positive and negative, continue to shape South Africa's agricultural sector. Starting on a positive note, early signs suggest a high likelihood that the upcoming 2025-26 summer season may also present favourable rainfall conditions across South Africa. Current forecasts indicate a neutral season, which would be generally favourable…
25 Jul 11 min

South Africans can take a few more tonnes of Brazilian coffee

Brazil is a major producer of coffee, accounting for nearly 40% of global coffee production. Other major producers are Vietnam 17%, Colombia 8%, Indonesia 6% and Ethiopia 6%, amongst others. Brazil is also a major coffee exporter to the U.S. Consequently, the 50% tariffs that will take effect on August…
18 Jul 10 min