Italy confirms its status as a strategic partner for the South African agri-food sector with its first official participation in Nampo Harvest Day 2026, the largest agricultural trade show in the Southern Hemisphere, running from May 12 until May 15 in Bothaville, within the agriculturally driven province of the Free State.
Led by Ambassador Alberto Vecchi, the Italian delegation inaugurated the Italy Pavilion organized by the ITA/ICE Office in Johannesburg in collaboration with FEDERUNACOMA (the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation).
Under the theme “Resilience through Innovation,” the Bothaville event saw over 87,000 visitors, reaffirming South Africa’s role as a continental hub for the sector. The Italian presence, bringing both technology and know-how, aims to consolidate bilateral partnerships, as Italy is already the leading supplier of agricultural machinery to the country.
During the visit, Ambassador Vecchi met with South African Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, to discuss preparations for the upcoming “Italy-South Africa Agro Business Forum,” scheduled for June 9-10 in Cape Town. This event will feature the participation of Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests, the Hon. Francesco Lollobrigida.
The June forum will serve as a key opportunity to open new investment and industrial cooperation possibilities, strengthening a growth axis focused on the internationalization of African agriculture.
