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On January 31, 2023, the South African Ministry of Health issued a Government Notice (R 2986) inviting comments on the draft regulation relating to the labeling and advertising of foods.

The energy crisis, which has resulted in the declaration of a National State of Disaster, is causing disruptions and rising costs for the advanced and diverse agriculture and food sector in South Africa, which is heavily reliant upon electrification.

On February 3, 2022, Kenya notified a draft standard on labeling for genetically modified seed (KS 2983-2023) to the WTO TBT Committee as G/TBT/N/KEN/1379. The comment deadline is 60 days from the date of notification with June 2023 as the proposed date of adoption.

In a signed letter to the Veterinary Medical Officer of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dated January 12, 2023, the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ghanaian Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture acknowledged receipt of the FSIS’ proposed certificate of export for pork and pork products, and confirmed its acceptance.

Based on recent changes to regulations, updated internet links, and revised reporting guidelines, all portions of the report have been updated. The paper evaluates the rules and regulations governing the import of food and agricultural products.

The Report's parts have all been modified to reflect the new reporting guidelines, online connections, and contacts. The report includes a list of the main licenses and certificates needed to export food and agricultural products from the United States to South Africa.

Kenya’s consumer-oriented food imports increased 4.5 percent to $484 million in 2021. This growth was driven by a sound macroeconomic environment and a slight recovery from impacts associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Best prospective products for export to Kenya include snack foods, sauces and condiments, distilled spirits, wine, beer, pet food, and tree nuts.

South Africa is a significant market for American agricultural goods. Due to its expanding market, which supports the effective delivery of both imported and domestically produced agricultural products to major urban areas and the broader Southern Africa region, the country is a desirable location for businesses.

The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform appears to have issued a circular with new import and transshipment requirement for animal and animal products into and through Namibia that states that importers must obtain a Namibian Veterinary Import Permit or Namibian Veterinary Import Permit for Conveyance In-Transit for commodities aimed for use in Namibia or in-transit.

The Bank of Ghana restricted access to foreign exchange for a select list of imported products, including rice, poultry, vegetable oils, and pasta, among other items, to implement a directive from the President of Ghana.

On November 9, 2022, The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) announced the initiation of the sunset review of anti-dumping duties (ADDs) of frozen bone-in portions of poultry from the United States.

The current labor disputes at Transnet, South Africa’s state-owed port, rail and pipeline authority, have caused severe staff shortages at ports resulting in a significant slowdown of port operations and caused the company to declare fore majeure.