MBABANE (15 November 2025): The first national market assessment exercise seeking a better understanding of agriculture market conditions including prices, availability, and movement of both food and non-food items is now underway.
The survey, being conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture with support of other ministries as well as United Nations agencies and NGOs, is part of efforts to strengthen systems for reinforcing national food sovereignty.
Launching the three-week assessment which kicked off on Thursday 13th November 2025, minister of agriculture Mandla Tsawuka said the information will enable the government and partners to better respond to economic shocks, climate impacts, and supply chain disruptions that affect livelihoods.
“Markets are the lifeblood of the agricultural economy — where farmers meet buyers, and where food reaches the tables of Emaswati. Understanding how our markets function allows the Ministry to improve value chains, stabilize prices, and empower local producers to compete effectively,” the minister said.
“This exercise aligns with the National Agricultural Investment Plan (ENAIP) and our commitment to Agricultural Food Systems Transformation, Rural Development to achieve Food Sovereignty,” the minister said.
The information is aimed at supporting evidence-based decisions in promoting price stability, and fair market access for producers, traders, and consumers alike.
Data collectors who are visiting communities, retail outlets, market vendors, wholesalers, and consumers are collecting information that may cast more light on how much of local produce is reaching formal markets. “Openness and accurate information will ensure that the results of this assessment truly reflect the situation on the ground. Remember, this is not an inspection or audit — it is a national effort to strengthen our markets for everyone’s benefit,” Mr Tsawuka said.
Eswatini is a predominantly food price-taker with South African supermarket chains controlling almost 95% of major food outlets that are controlled from South Africa where they set prices and product sourcing that ensure that shop shelves support their country’s growth targets.
A June 2025 World Bank study showed that in 2023, the country imported approximately E1.604 billion (US$89 million) worth of cereals, E287 million (US$16 million) worth of vegetables and E87 million (US$5 million) worth of meat and edible offals, mostly from South Africa. This heavy reliance on imports places considerable pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves and increases vulnerability to external market shocks including price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
The though the last market assessment in 2020 was disrupted by Covid-19, it illuminated the country’s extreme vulnerability to food insecurity by demonstrating how the Kingdom would starve if the borders were closed.
That disturbing lesson influenced a shift in narrative that now focuses on food sovereignty, emphasizing systems strengthening for national capacity to produce the key stable foods such as maize, beans, beef, milk and vegetables.
The ongoing market assessment study may help quantify what products are grown in the country, identify active farmers and contribute to targeted interventions to help smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to thrive in competitive markets.
Jm/today/15.11.2025
