{"id":19084,"date":"2025-12-12T14:34:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T12:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19084"},"modified":"2025-12-12T14:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T12:34:12","slug":"tracing-the-roots-of-farming-income","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19084","title":{"rendered":"Tracing the roots of farming income"},"content":{"rendered":"

A healthy agricultural industry is vital to economic development, employment and food security. Stats SA\u2019s latest annual Agricultural Survey (2024) provides insight into the products that sustain the industry, and the impact of small, medium and micro farmers.<\/p>\n

Horticulture: The most significant income generator <\/strong><\/p>\n

In November, the Citrus Growers\u2019 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<\/sup><\/p>\n

Horticulture\u2019s influential role is highlighted by Stats SA\u2019s 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%).<\/p>\n

Figure\u00a01 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.<\/p>\n

\"Figure_01\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Vegetable sales were the second-leading horticultural crop, followed by grapes.<\/p>\n

Where are SMMEs making an impact?<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the priorities listed in the final communiqu\u00e9 from the Business\u00a020 (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<\/sup><\/p>\n

Stats SA\u2019s 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\u00a02).<\/p>\n

\"Figure_02\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In terms of employment, SMMEs accounted for just over half of the agricultural workforce (i.e. 425\u00a0684 of 840\u00a0407 employees).<\/p>\n

Other key results from the 2024 agricultural survey:<\/p>\n