South Africa and Italy Set Stage for New Agriculture Partnerships

The two-day programme will begin with an institutional plenary session featuring senior government representatives and industry leaders.

South Africa and Italy are preparing to strengthen their agricultural ties through the inaugural South Africa-Italy Agriculture Business Forum, a high-level gathering aimed at unlocking new opportunities in trade, investment and innovation across the agricultural value chain.

The forum will take place in Cape Town on 9 and 10 June, bringing together government leaders, business executives, investors and agricultural innovators from both countries to explore practical ways of expanding cooperation in one of the world's most important economic sectors.

Forum to Focus on Investment and Market Growth

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, will jointly host the event, which is expected to serve as a platform for building stronger commercial relationships and encouraging greater investment between the two nations. Held under the theme, "South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: From the Soil to the Shelf," the forum aims to create new business opportunities while supporting sustainable growth and economic development.

Organisers believe the gathering could help open new channels for industrial cooperation and support the broader international expansion of African agriculture by connecting local producers with global expertise, technologies and markets.

Wide Range of Agricultural Industries in Spotlight

The two-day programme will begin with an institutional plenary session featuring senior government representatives and industry leaders. Delegates will also participate in panel discussions, business-to-business engagements and meetings between government officials and private sector representatives.

Conversations are expected to cover a broad range of sectors that play a crucial role in modern agriculture. These include agri-food production, fruit and vegetable farming, food processing, packaging technologies, agricultural machinery, digital farming solutions and agri-technology innovation. Other key areas on the agenda include livestock development, climate-smart agriculture, water management, protected farming systems, sustainability initiatives and carbon farming practices. These topics have become increasingly important as countries seek ways to improve food security while adapting to environmental challenges and changing market demands.

Bilateral Agreement Expected to Deepen Cooperation

The second day of the forum will include visits to businesses operating across the agricultural value chain in the Western Cape, giving delegates an opportunity to observe local innovations and explore potential partnerships. A major highlight of the visit is expected to be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa and Italy. The agreement will focus on expanding cooperation in agriculture, agro-processing, innovation and market access.

The proposed partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening agricultural development through knowledge exchange, technology transfer and increased trade opportunities. It also signals growing confidence in the role that international collaboration can play in building more resilient and competitive agricultural industries. As both countries look to deepen economic ties, the forum is expected to lay the foundation for long-term partnerships that benefit farmers, agribusinesses and consumers on both sides.