South Africa and AGOA: what is at stake?

This research paper examines the threat of South Africa losing its agricultural benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to trade barriers on US exports, specifically poultry, beef, and pork. It analyzes the economic impact of potential suspension and suggests moving toward a negotiated bilateral trade agreement to ensure greater stability.

• The United States proposed suspending South Africa's agricultural benefits under AGOA because South Africa maintained trade barriers against US exports, specifically anti-dumping duties on US chicken products. South Africa argued these duties were necessary because US firms sold undesirable meat at prices below production costs, while the US argued the duties protected domestic producers from competition.
• Despite a June agreement to allow 65,000 tons of 'bone-in' chicken into South Africa, implementation was delayed by disputes over animal health and safety regulations. South Africa cited concerns over bird flu outbreaks in twenty US states and risks to domestic poultry stock. While a protocol was signed in mid-November to allow poultry from non-affected areas, issues regarding beef and pork imports remained outstanding as of December 2015.
• The economic stakes for South Africa are significant: in 2014, total exports to the US exceeded US$8 billion, with nearly 40% benefiting from AGOA preferences. Agricultural exports exceeded US$300 million, with nearly 75% relying on AGOA preferences. The risk to agriculture is heightened by a widespread drought in Southern Africa.
• The use of AGOA as leverage by the US creates uncertainty and may extend to other areas, such as the Private Security Amendment Bill's local ownership requirements and copyright/trademark infringements. The author suggests that South Africa and other African nations should seek negotiated bilateral agreements, similar to the Trade Development Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, to provide more security than the unilateral nature of AGOA.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2015). South Africa and AGOA: what is at stake? https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-and-agoa-what-is-at-stake/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. South Africa and AGOA: what is at stake? 2015. https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-and-agoa-what-is-at-stake/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=South Africa and AGOA: what is at stake? |date=27 November 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-and-agoa-what-is-at-stake/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2015south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{South Africa and AGOA: what is at stake?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-and-agoa-what-is-at-stake/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }