African agriculture impacted by disruption of supply chains

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting exports and global food supply chains. It also affects food and agricultural exports from all African countries with varying degrees of exposure.

 

 

 

According to a publication by Selina Wamucii, intra-African trade is around 2%, while Africa's exports to the rest of the world represent between 80 and 90% of total exports, a huge part of which is made up of agricultural products.

 

 

 

Millions of small African farmers who grow fruits and vegetables for export have lost market access because air links are cut and borders are closed in many countries. The publication learns that measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic affect food and agricultural exports from all African countries with varying degrees of exposure, such as:

 

- Morocco: its dependence is high on the European market, given its proximity and its traditional commercial links. In 2018, its exports to the EU represented 78% of its total exports. The main importers of Moroccan agricultural products are Spain, France, the Netherlands and Italy, countries whose markets have been disrupted.

 

- Kenya: agricultural exports are affected by the disturbances in its destination markets. The majority of fresh flowers are destined for the European market, more than 50% of Kenyan exports of fruits and vegetables, nuts and dried fruits are destined for the European Union and China, markets which are highly disrupted.

 

- South Africa: logistics and border restrictions may affect agricultural exports. The country has closed 35 land border crossings and 2 seaports. Export volumes are expected to decrease, particularly to Europe and China, which accounted for 55.4% of the total value of its exports in 2019.