Photo: Damien du Toit · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 13 of 18 · Country Index 2026
South Africa: Food & Agriculture
What does a country grow, and what does it take to grow it?
South Africa is placed joint 77th of 184 countries on food & agriculture in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy) 3.14 (2024); Cereal Yield 5,703 (2023).
Share
Food & Agriculture
joint77th
of 184 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 3.14Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy), 2024Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators
- 5,703Cereal Yield, 2023Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
- 2,659Dietary Energy Supply, 2024Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
- 0.43Agriculture Orientation Index, 2024Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place South Africa on food & agriculture — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
3.14
Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators
Higher is better
South Africa: 3.14. Across the 186 countries in this edition, values run from 1.67 (Tuvalu) to 4.57 (Italy); the world median is 3.14.
- World median
- 3.14
- Best in Southern Africa
- 3.14 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 1.71 · Lesotho 1.71 · Mozambique 2.71 · Namibia 2.14 · Eswatini 1.86 · Zimbabwe 2.43
Key 2 of 4
Cereal Yield
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
5,703
Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Higher is better
South Africa: 5,703. Across the 179 countries in this edition, values run from 23 (Cabo Verde) to 29,147 (Oman); the world median is 3,072.
- World median
- 3,072
- Best in Southern Africa
- 5,703 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 870.2 · Lesotho 804.1 · Mozambique 737.7 · Namibia 451.2 · Eswatini 1,228 · Zimbabwe 743.9
Key 3 of 4
Dietary Energy Supply
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
2,659
Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day)
Higher is better
South Africa: 2,659. Across the 155 countries in this edition, values run from 1,757 (Somalia) to 3,962 (United States); the world median is 2,982.
- World median
- 2,982
- Best in Southern Africa
- 2,715 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2,715 · Mozambique 2,198 · Namibia 2,512 · Eswatini 2,589 · Zimbabwe 2,410
Key 4 of 4
Agriculture Orientation Index
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.43
Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Higher is better
South Africa: 0.43. Across the 132 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Ghana) to 5.38 (Singapore); the world median is 0.305.
- World median
- 0.305
- Best in Southern Africa
- 2.16 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Botswana 2.16 · Lesotho 0.35 · Mozambique 0.04 · Namibia 0.28 · Eswatini 0.89
02Over time
Which way South Africa is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)
Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa was at 3.14 in both 2015 and 2024; the world median went from 3.14 to 3.14.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 3 3.1 2023 3 3.1 2022 3 3.2 2021 3 3.1 2020 3 3.1 2019 3 3.1 2018 3 3.2 2017 3 3.1 2016 3 3.1 2015 3 3.1 Cereal Yield
Cereal yield (kg per hectare) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa rose from 2,766 in 2000 to 5,703 in 2023; the world median went from 2,170 to 3,072.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2023 5,703 3,072 2022 5,310 3,217 2021 5,494 3,003 2020 5,121 3,260 2019 4,102 3,106 2018 4,652 2,883 2017 5,332 2,984 2016 3,623 3,043 2015 3,348 3,000 2014 4,900 3,001 2013 4,043 2,970 2012 4,244 2,782 2011 4,017 2,754 2010 4,150 2,647 2009 4,406 2,653 2008 4,063 2,664 2007 2,790 2,553 2006 3,141 2,514 2005 3,310 2,512 2004 2,778 2,428 2003 2,537 2,331 2002 2,773 2,378 2001 2,424 2,199 2000 2,766 2,170 Dietary Energy Supply
Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 2,897 in 2001 to 2,659 in 2024; the world median went from 2,628 to 2,982.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 2,659 2,982.0 2023 2,683 2,969.0 2022 2,695 2,962.5 2021 2,718 2,967.0 2020 2,747 2,934.0 2019 2,799 2,912.5 2018 2,830 2,893.0 2017 2,838 2,886.0 2016 2,829 2,863.0 2015 2,828 2,835.0 2014 2,845 2,844.0 2013 2,876 2,856.0 2012 2,888 2,838.0 2011 2,887 2,827.5 2010 2,906 2,808.0 2009 2,930 2,818.0 2008 2,954 2,811.0 2007 2,952 2,810.5 2006 2,959 2,772.0 2005 2,961 2,740.5 2004 2,956 2,712.5 2003 2,934 2,685.0 2002 2,917 2,667.0 2001 2,897 2,628.0 Agriculture Orientation Index
Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size) · higher is better
South AfricaWorld median
South Africa fell from 0.58 in 2001 to 0.43 in 2024; the world median went from 0.36 to 0.305.
Every year’s figures
Year South Africa World median 2024 0.43 0.305 2023 0.56 0.305 2022 0.40 0.290 2021 0.41 0.260 2020 0.49 0.255 2019 0.64 0.265 2018 0.54 0.270 2017 0.54 0.260 2016 0.56 0.285 2015 0.63 0.305 2014 0.74 0.300 2013 0.81 0.285 2012 0.82 0.330 2011 0.80 0.290 2010 0.82 0.320 2009 0.67 0.370 2008 0.72 0.390 2007 0.86 0.410 2006 0.86 0.355 2005 0.82 0.325 2004 0.60 0.320 2003 0.64 0.320 2002 0.53 0.340 2001 0.58 0.360
03In context
South Africa beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 184 countries on food & agriculture, never a place within the region.
South Africa and the countries it borders
Standing among all 184; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators | Cereal YieldCereal yield (kg per hectare) | Dietary Energy SupplyDietary energy supply (kcal per person per day) | Agriculture Orientation IndexAgriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | =77th | 3.14 | 5,703 | 2,659 | 0.43 |
 Botswana | 134th | 1.71 | 870.2 | 2,715 | 2.16 |
 Eswatini | 140th | 1.86 | 1,228 | 2,589 | 0.89 |
 Lesotho | =158th | 1.71 | 804.1 | — | 0.35 |
 Namibia | 167th | 2.14 | 451.2 | 2,512 | 0.28 |
 Zimbabwe | =176th | 2.43 | 743.9 | 2,410 | — |
 Mozambique | 178th | 2.71 | 737.7 | 2,198 | 0.04 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 184.
- South Africa=77th
- Botswana134th
- Eswatini140th
- Lesotho=158th
- Namibia167th
Placed either side on food & agriculture
The countries immediately above and below South Africa in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where South Africa is ahead of the world, and behind
28 more statistics filed under food & agriculture, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median5
Statistics on which South Africa does better than the middle country measured.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23124.13106.23▲ Improved since 2012
South Africa: 124.13 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 34th of 195 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08113.24106.08▲ Improved since 2012
South Africa: 113.24 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 69th of 195 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74210,8186,742No real change since 2015
South Africa: 10,818 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 151 · derived.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.31.565▲ Improved since 2013
South Africa: 1.3 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 111th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Per Capita Food Supply VariabilityFAO · 2024 · world median 292729▲ Improved since 2014
South Africa: 27 · world median 29 · Year-to-year variability of the food supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4 to 227; lower is better.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which South Africa does worse than the middle country measured.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 414641▲ Improved since 2012
South Africa: 46 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06103.24107.06▲ Improved since 2012
South Africa: 103.24 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 118th of 194 · derived.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.2105.2▼ Worsened since 2013
South Africa: 10 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 55th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 4.98.44.9▼ Worsened since 2018
South Africa: 8.4 · world median 4.9 · Population in severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 62.9; lower is better.
Position 41st of 119 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6937.31102.69▼ Worsened since 2013
South Africa: 37.31 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Organic Agricultural AreaFAO · 2024 · world median 0.7250.030.725▲ Improved since 2014
South Africa: 0.03 · world median 0.725 · Organic share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 86.38; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 150 · derived.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8326.4184.83No real change since 2013
South Africa: 26.41 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
No better end16
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9679.4237.96No real change since 2013
South Africa: 79.42 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 6th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375476,54752,375Moved since 2014
South Africa: 476,547 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2783,334,465689,278No real change since 2013
South Africa: 3,334,465 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 37th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63542,6388,635Moved since 2013
South Africa: 42,638 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 41st of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.190.109No real change since 2013
South Africa: 0.19 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 63rd of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.733.281.73Moved since 2014
South Africa: 3.28 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 69th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8358.2757.83Moved since 2013
South Africa: 58.27 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1459.462.14Moved since 2012
South Africa: 59.4 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 91st of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3677.1987.36Moved since 2013
South Africa: 77.19 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 102nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6323.9637.63Moved since 2013
South Africa: 23.96 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.661.6613.66No earlier reading
South Africa: 1.661 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 76th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.385.40714.38Moved since 2015
South Africa: 5.407 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 126th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5722.8286.572Moved since 2015
South Africa: 2.828 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 112th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cereal Import Dependency RatioFAO · 2022 · world median 42.80.742.8Moved since 2012
South Africa: 0.7 · world median 42.8 · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from -1,894 to 100.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.175.5916.17Moved since 2013
South Africa: 5.59 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.140.535No real change since 2013
South Africa: 0.14 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 165th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for South Africa
Global Report on Food Crises, Legal Guarantees of Women's Equal Rights to Land and Women's Share of Agricultural Landowners. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Food & Agriculture among South Africa’s 15 topics
Food & Agriculture is South Africa’s 7th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality40th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade39th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology61st of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties65th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 72nd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 77th of 1844/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation101st of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital116th of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 134th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 148th of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience152nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality145th of 1593/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability172nd of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on food & agriculture
The three countries placed highest of 184, and the leaders South Africa can most readily be measured against.
1
SerbiaSouthern Europe
1st of 184 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Lošmi derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
AustriaWestern Europe
2nd of 184 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
3
MaltaSouthern Europe
3rd of 184 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles31st2/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=77th4/4 keys
Positions out of 184 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
South Africa on food & agriculture: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does South Africa rank on food & agriculture?
South Africa is placed joint 77th of 184 countries on Food & Agriculture in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy), Cereal Yield, Dietary Energy Supply and Agriculture Orientation Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy) figure for South Africa?
3.14 in 2024 (current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 3.14.
What is the latest Cereal Yield figure for South Africa?
5,703 in 2023 (cereal yield (kg per hectare)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 3,072.
How does South Africa compare with Mozambique on food & agriculture?
Mozambique is placed 178th of 184, and South Africa joint 77th. Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy): Mozambique 2.71, South Africa 3.14; Cereal Yield: Mozambique 737.7, South Africa 5,703; Dietary Energy Supply: Mozambique 2,198, South Africa 2,659; Agriculture Orientation Index: Mozambique 0.04, South Africa 0.43.
How have South Africa’s food & agriculture figures changed?
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy) was 3.14 in both 2015 and 2024; Cereal Yield rose from 2,766 in 2000 to 5,703 in 2023; Dietary Energy Supply fell from 2,897 in 2001 to 2,659 in 2024; Agriculture Orientation Index fell from 0.58 in 2001 to 0.43 in 2024.
Which food & agriculture statistics are missing for South Africa?
No current reading is published for South Africa on Global Report on Food Crises, Legal Guarantees of Women's Equal Rights to Land and Women's Share of Agricultural Landowners. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This subject is about production and land use, not about whether people are fed. Hunger, undernourishment and what a population actually eats are measured under Health & Wellbeing, and the two regularly disagree — a country can grow a great deal and still leave many people short, and one that grows little can be well fed by trade. The wider environmental cost of farming — emissions, water withdrawal, forest cover — is filed under Environment & Sustainability.
How the Food & Agriculture standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The food & agriculture method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy) — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Cereal Yield — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Dietary Energy Supply — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Agriculture Orientation Index — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 28 statistics on this page come from 3 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
South Africa’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- South Africa (banner) — Damien du Toit, CC BY 2.0
- Serbia — Lošmi derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Malta — Dirk Heldmaier derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). South Africa: Food & Agriculture — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/south-africa/food