Speakers

John Henry Steenhuisen is South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, appointed in 2024 as part of the country’s Government of National Unity. He brings more than two decades of public service experience and a strong focus on building a competitive, resilient and globally integrated agricultural sector.

Minister Steenhuisen began his public career at the age of 22, becoming one of the youngest elected municipal councillors in South Africa. He has since served across all three spheres of government, local, provincial and national, gaining extensive experience in policy development, legislative oversight and executive governance. Prior to his ministerial appointment, he served as Leader of the Official Opposition in South Africa’s Parliament, where he played a central role in shaping policy debate and strengthening institutional accountability.

As Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen has prioritised market access, biosecurity, regulatory reform and farmer support as the pillars of agricultural growth. He has actively championed international trade as a driver of rural development and food security, leading efforts to expand export opportunities for South African agricultural products in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Under his leadership, South Africa has opened and expanded key export markets for products including fresh fruit, grains, red meat, wine and dairy, contributing to strong growth in agricultural exports and improved farm-level profitability.

A central focus of his tenure has been strengthening South Africa’s biosecurity framework to meet stringent international standards. This includes decisive action to manage animal and plant disease risks, investment in traceability systems, and closer collaboration with industry, scientists and trading partners to safeguard market access and consumer confidence.

Minister Steenhuisen has also emphasised inclusive growth across agricultural value chains. Targeted support programmes have expanded access to finance, training and markets for smallholder and emerging farmers, while policy reforms aim to create a modern, predictable and investment-friendly regulatory environment. His approach seeks to balance productivity, sustainability and transformation, ensuring that agriculture remains a key contributor to employment, food security and economic growth.

On the global stage, Minister Steenhuisen represents South Africa in multilateral and bilateral forums, including G20 agriculture engagements, trade missions and international agrifood platforms. He is a strong advocate for collaboration, innovation and science-based policy, positioning South Africa as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural products and a strategic partner in global food systems.