Forecast: Agricultural Area Under Organic Agriculture in South Africa

The agricultural area under organic agriculture in South Africa stood at 45.41 thousand hectares in 2023. From 2013 to 2023, the sector experienced notable fluctuations, with peak years like 2018 and 2021 showing significant increases of 100.14% and 137.75%, respectively, followed by sharp declines. Over the past two years, the area under organic farming saw a decrease with a year-on-year variation of -53.34% in 2022 and -0.044% in 2023. The five-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) up to 2023 was -11.32%, indicating recent downward trends.

Looking ahead, forecasts suggest stability in the organic agricultural area with slight declines. By 2028, the area is expected to be around 45.36 thousand hectares, with a projected five-year CAGR of -0.02%. This indicates a negligible average annual change in the upcoming years.

Future trends to watch for:

• Potential policy changes and government incentives to promote organic farming.
• Shifts in consumer preferences toward organic products.
• Economic factors that could influence farming practices and investment in organic agriculture.
• Technological advancements and innovations in organic farming techniques.