June 2026 — Cape Town, South Africa
When South African macadamias are showcased alongside world-renowned agricultural products at a global agribusiness forum, it is recognition of our industry’s place on the international stage.
Event: 2026 SA-Italy Business Forum
Date: 09-10 June 2026
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Attendance: >100 South African and Italian attendees
SAMAC attended the South Africa–Italy Agriculture Business Forum, hosted by Department of Agriculture in Cape Town. The theme was “South Africa and Italy Building Resilient Agri-Business Partnerships: From the Soil to the Shelf”. The forum brought together South Africa and Italy’s Ministers of Agriculture, South Africa and Italy’s Ambassadors, both country’s Chambers of Commerce, local industry and business leaders to advance agricultural trade. This concluded in the signing of a Memoranda in the field of agriculture between South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen and Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Mr Francesco Lollobrigida.
For the macadamia industry, one of the most significant outcomes was the level of visibility achieved. Macadamias featured organically across the event’s branding and visuals as a recognised South African agricultural product in the same conversation as some of the world’s most celebrated food ingredients. Europe is an important kernel export markets, and being seen at this level demonstrates that South African macadamias belong in the premium tier.
The forum demonstrated that market development extends beyond securing customers. It requires sustained international engagement, strong partnerships between government and industry, and consistent global visibility that builds the long-term credibility on which South African growers and exporters depend on.
SAMAC’s presence at these strategic platforms helps ensure that visibility becomes relationships, and that relationships translate into stronger opportunities for South African macadamias on European shelves.
