Determinants of South Africa's fruit export performance to West Africa : A panel regression analysis

Abstract

Exports are important drivers of economic growth and development in any country. It is therefore important to analyze the factors influencing export between trading countries. West Africa has been ranked as one of the largest importers of fruits from South Africa. This study investigates the factors influencing South Africa's fruit export to West African trading partners. The study used secondary panel data sourced from statistics South Africa and other relevant sources such as quantec easy data, global trade atlas, World Bank. The gravity model was used for data analysis. South Africa's fruit exports to West Africa region has been increasing over the past ten (10) and Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire were the main importers. Fresh fruits such as apples, table grapes and pears exports from South Africa enjoyed market access in West African markets. South Africa need to re-direct local agricultural investment towards fruit industry to ensure expansion in production capacity. Land reform policy need to be channelled in a way that it improves the utilization of land for production of agricultural products such as fruits. Farmers Support Programme (FSP) are critical for the expansion of the fruits production and exports in the Africa market. Additionally, Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is at the finalization stages for implementation and policy makers need to pay attention on the findings to direct the fruits exports to the reliable and sustainable markets.