Regional value chains: linkages and opportunities in agro-processing across five SADC countries

The research assesses agro-processing opportunities in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mauritius, highlighting the potential for regional integration. It identifies specific growth opportunities in soybean production in Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, and processing opportunities for tobacco in Mozambique. The paper recommends harmonising SADC standards, reducing transport costs, and reviewing sugar sector policies to strengthen regional value chains.

• While South Africa is a major market for processed foods, future demand growth is expected to be driven by population growth and urbanisation in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia.
• Zambia experienced a 24.5% annual growth rate in soya production between 2004 and 2014, reaching 351,416 metric tonnes in the 2016/17 season due to the inclusion of small- and medium-scale farmers and demand for poultry feed.
• Mozambique presents investment opportunities in tobacco processing, as it exported an average of $24 million in unprocessed tobacco annually from 2012 to 2016 while importing finished tobacco products.
• Mauritius currently relies on European and Asian markets for processed foods but could integrate into SADC chains by replacing deep-sea imports of cereals, dairy, and frozen fish with regional sources or by starting a regional processed fish value chain.
• Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique have the highest potential for soybean production, whereas South Africa's dry climate makes it unsuitable.
• To strengthen regional oilseed and sugar value chains, the paper recommends harmonising SADC quality and health standards, reducing transport costs (such as backhauls between Zambia and South Africa), and reviewing policies that protect established sugarcane growers to lower high sugar prices.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2019). Regional value chains: linkages and opportunities in agro-processing across five SADC countries. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/regional-value-chains-linkages-and-opportunities-in-agro-processing-across-five-sadc-countries/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Regional value chains: linkages and opportunities in agro-processing across five SADC countries. 2019. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/regional-value-chains-linkages-and-opportunities-in-agro-processing-across-five-sadc-countries/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Regional value chains: linkages and opportunities in agro-processing across five SADC countries |date=25 March 2019 |url=https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/regional-value-chains-linkages-and-opportunities-in-agro-processing-across-five-sadc-countries/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2019regional, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Regional value chains: linkages and opportunities in agro-processing across five SADC countries}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/regional-value-chains-linkages-and-opportunities-in-agro-processing-across-five-sadc-countries/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }