By Eamonn Ryan
The following is derived from a SAPICS webinar titled ‘Pre G20 Summit – CRA and SAPICS Risk Briefing’ held on 12 November 2025. The panel consisted of Chris Hattingh, executive director, and Ofentse Donald Davhie, research associate – both of the Centre for Risk Analysis (CRA). This is part two of a five-part series.
South Africa’s agricultural production and mineral wealth are among its greatest economic assets, providing both domestic benefits and international leverage. The country is a leading producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, vanadium, and rare earth minerals, all essential for advanced manufacturing, technology and renewable energy. Equally important, South Africa’s agricultural sector – including citrus, grapes, avocados and other perishable exports – relies heavily on cold chain infrastructure to maintain quality during international shipping. Neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (cobalt, copper, tantalum), Zambia (copper), Zimbabwe (lithium, PGMs), and Namibia (lithium) contribute to a region rich in strategic resources, offering southern Africa the potential to become a hub of high-value manufacturing, technological innovation and high-quality agricultural exports.
Yet raw mineral wealth or agricultural output alone is insufficient. The real economic advantage lies in beneficiation – processing raw materials and perishable products into higher-value goods. For agriculture, it involves advanced cold storage, ripening and packaging facilities that allow produce to reach global markets in optimal condition. For minerals, this includes electric vehicle batteries, specialised alloys and high-tech components. Developing these downstream industries generates jobs, strengthens industrial resilience, reduces reliance on external processing, and positions South Africa as a key player in global supply chains.
Rare earths are particularly critical. While geologically abundant, only a handful of countries, led by China, dominate processing and manufacturing. South Africa’s rare earth deposits, combined with regional co-operation, could challenge this monopoly and attract global investment. Similarly, investments in cold chain infrastructure – such as refrigerated containers, warehouses and automated ripening facilities – ensure that agricultural exports retain both value and international competitiveness. Securing these resources and developing local processing capacity is not just an economic opportunity: it is a strategic imperative for technology and supply chain sovereignty.
Beyond rare earths, South Africa’s PGMs are essential in catalytic converters, renewable energy technologies, and emerging green hydrogen initiatives. Manganese and vanadium are critical for battery technologies, while copper underpins electrical grids and electronics. Ensuring local processing of these minerals captures more value, strengthens domestic supply chains, and contributes to sustainable industrialisation. Simultaneously, robust cold chain systems for citrus, grapes and other high-value perishable goods ensure that South Africa maximises returns from agricultural exports, even as global competition intensifies.
Challenges remain. Mining operations and cold chain infrastructure are capital intensive, require skilled labour and are vulnerable to market volatility. Environmental and social governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly central to investment decisions. Responsible extraction, sustainable refrigeration practices, labour protections and community engagement are essential to attract high-quality investment and ensure long-term resilience.
Regional co-operation could amplify opportunities. By linking mineral-rich countries and agricultural producers through integrated supply chains, southern Africa can develop a co-ordinated industrial strategy where extraction, processing, manufacturing and cold storage are optimised across borders. This collaboration would increase bargaining power in global markets, attract long-term investment and enable the region to move from raw material and produce exports to high-value industrial and refrigerated goods.
Global shifts in demand are accelerating. The transition to electric vehicles, renewable energy and digital infrastructure is creating massive demand for critical minerals, while consumers increasingly expect fresh, high-quality agricultural products year-round. Countries with both processing capacity and advanced cold chain infrastructure are poised to benefit. Seizing these opportunities requires targeted policy support, public-private partnerships, and investment in research, development and skills.
The geopolitical context is also critical. As China, the US and Europe compete for critical minerals, South Africa’s resources – and its ability to export high-quality produce through cold chains – become strategically important. The country must balance international partnerships while ensuring local economic benefits. Policies encouraging domestic beneficiation, foreign investment that prioritises technology transfer, and clear regulatory frameworks are essential for maximising impact.
In conclusion, South Africa’s strategic agricultural and minerals exports represent a dual opportunity: economic growth and geopolitical leverage. By focusing on beneficiation, regional co-operation, sustainable practices and robust cold chain development, the country can move beyond simple extraction and export to a globally competitive industrial and agricultural base. Success will depend on policy alignment, investment in skills, technology and refrigeration infrastructure, as well as strategic engagement with international markets. How South Africa manages its mineral wealth and perishable exports over the next decade will shape not only its economic trajectory but also its role in global supply chains.