A healthy agricultural industry is vital to economic development, employment and food security. Stats SA’s latest annual Agricultural Survey (2024) provides insight into the products that sustain the industry, and the impact of small, medium and micro farmers.

Horticulture: The most significant income generator

In November, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa reported a record-breaking citrus season in 2025, driven by good weather, strong international demand and improved efficiency at South African ports.¹

Horticulture’s influential role is highlighted by Stats SA’s recent release of commercial agriculture data for 2024. Horticultural crops accounted for the largest share of income from sales of goods in agriculture, at 27% of the total. The field crops category was the second most significant contributor (24%), followed by animals (23%) and animal products (20%).

Figure 1 shows the data at a more granular level, highlighting the most important products. Maize, cattle and fruits (excluding grapes) were the leading sources of income.

Vegetable sales were the second-leading horticultural crop, followed by grapes.

Where are SMMEs making an impact?

One of the priorities listed in the final communiqué from the Business 20 (B20) South Africa forum is the inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in global value chains. This includes supporting small-scale agricultural producers and smallholder farmers.²

Stats SA’s agricultural survey canvassed thousands of farms across the country, including small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). Just over a third of the income generated in commercial agriculture was from SMMEs. These enterprises were well represented in activities related to field and horticultural crops, but less so in activities related to animals and animal products (Figure 2).

In terms of employment, SMMEs accounted for just over half of the agricultural workforce (i.e. 425 684 of 840 407 employees).

Other key results from the 2024 agricultural survey:

• Commercial agriculture created 25 614 jobs between 2023 and 2024, a 3,1% increase.
• Almost six in ten employees in the agricultural industry were men.
• Motor vehicles, plant, machinery, tractors & other equipment contributed 58,6% to total capital expenditure.
• The Western Cape province was the biggest contributor to sales of goods, salaries, and employment.

For more information, download the Agricultural survey, 2024 statistical release, associated Excel data and presentation slides here. The statistical release is based on a survey of farms registered for value-added tax (VAT). For an overview of smallholder and subsistence agriculture, download the Census 2022: Agricultural households statistical report here.

¹ Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, SA Citrus exports deliver on growth promise [10 November 2025] (read here). Read the CEO newsletter for November 2025 here.

² B20 South Africa 2025, The B20 South Africa Final Communiqué, pages 4 and 73 (download here).