South Africa and Italy have strengthened their agricultural and trade relations following the final approval of a technical agreement that will pave the way for the export of Italian table grapes to the South African market.
The agreement was confirmed during a bilateral meeting between Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, and South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, on the sidelines of the ongoing inaugural South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum in Cape Town, Western Cape.
The Forum is being organized under the theme: “South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: From Soil to Shelf.”
The two Ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations which resulted in the formal approval of the Action Plan governing the export of Italian table grapes, a development considered an important milestone for the agricultural sectors of both countries and a catalyst for deeper economic cooperation.
Lollobrigida described the agreement as a major success for Italy's fruit and vegetable industry.
“The opening of the South African market to Italian table grapes recognizes the excellence and quality of our products and confirms the effectiveness of our diplomatic and commercial efforts,” Lollobrigida said.
He said the agreement is in line with Italy's broader strategy to strengthen economic partnerships with Africa and expressed hope that a similar arrangement could be extended to other products, including apples, in the future.
The agreement is expected to expand market opportunities for Italian producers, while increasing agricultural trade between the two countries through complementary production seasons and increased commercial cooperation.
Promote trade and innovation
Addressing delegates at a gala dinner hosted by Lollobrigida and the Italian delegation at the Idiom Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands on Tuesday, Steenhuisen highlighted the growing partnership between South Africa and Italy. He described this forum as an important platform to promote trade, investment and innovation in agriculture.
Steenhuisen said the day's engagements had revealed important untapped opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Steenhuisen said, “What was important to me was not just the opportunities identified, but the enthusiasm with which people engaged with each other. Throughout the day, I saw business leaders exchanging ideas, researchers making new connections, and people from two different countries discovering how much they had in common.”
The Minister emphasized that the long-term success of bilateral cooperation is rarely built only through official agreements, but also through shared experiences and the confidence that comes from understanding each other's vision and ambitions.
“Agriculture is ultimately a people business. It may involve technology, machinery, science and innovation, but at its heart, it is still about people, farmers who rise before the sun, families who work the same land for generations, entrepreneurs willing to take risks, researchers looking for solutions, and businesses looking for new opportunities,” the minister said.
He said South Africa and Italy share strong agricultural traditions, a commitment to innovation and a deep appreciation of food, agriculture, family, tradition and the importance of preserving what they have inherited, while constantly innovating for the future.
“Agriculture is about much more than production alone. It is about communities, culture, heritage and the people whose livelihoods depend on the success of the sector. In both South Africa and Italy, agriculture has helped shape the landscape, sustain rural economies and create traditions that are passed from one generation to the next. Those shared values provide a strong foundation for the partnership we are building,” said Steenhuisen. – sanews.gov.za