11/06/2026
The National Department of Agriculture under the lead of Minister John Steenhuisen, and Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, hosted the South Africa-Italy Agriculture Business Forum this week.
The Business Forum theme: "South Africa and Italy Building Resilient, Value-Added Agri-Business Partnerships: "From the Soil to the Shelf." Cultivating Partnerships. Driving Innovation. Growing Agricultural Trade.
This strategic forum brought together businesses, investors, industry leaders, and stakeholders to unlock new opportunities in agricultural trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable development. The SA Olive Industry Association CEO, Mrs Wendy Petersen, was one of the business leaders invited to join these conversations.
"The engagement between Italy and South Africa is an important
one as both countries are olive producing countries. Collaboration and support in terms of training, research and development, market opportunities and consumer education are important to drive growth of this sector" says Wendy Petersen.
A MOU was signed between South Africa and Italy, marking closer collaboration in Agriculture possible. Key discussions during this week of engagement were around opportunities,
the commitments identified throughout the forum, all aimed at strengthening agricultural trade, investment, innovation, and collaboration between South Africa and Italy.
These outcomes will help shape future partnerships and support sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain.