Western Cape exports have increased over the past few years and plans are afoot to let this number grow even more. That’s according to Wesgro, the tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander says exports in the Province have increased from R160.9 billion in 2021 to R219.7 billion in 2025. She says this highlights the province’s growing weight in the South Africa’s export landscape.
Exports: Made in the Cape Brings Global Buyers to Cape Town and the Western Cape
Wesgro also recently hosted its flagship international buyers programme, #MadeInTheCape. This brought global procurement leaders and Western Cape exporters together, for a focused week of trade engagement. She says 34 international buyers from 17 countries engaged with over 230 Western Cape exporters during the week. Stander added that since 2023, 13 trade deals were signed. She added that further transactions in the pipeline. Stander elaborated that over 400 structured business-to-business meetings were hosted in the Cape.
Deepening Export Growth
At the recent gathering, Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer, placed an emphasis on the strategic importance of export-led growth. He also said that the programme opens doors for global buyers to the unmatched quality, creativity and reliability of Western Cape products and services. Meyer added that export growth, investment attraction and private sector expansion are the engines of sustainable job creation. He said that jobs come from globally competitive businesses. These are businesses that can scale beyond local borders.
“We are opening doors, doors that connect our local businesses to global opportunities,” said Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Ivan Meyer.
Buyers programme connects 230 export-ready businesses with international decision-makers
At the same time, The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, said that export growth remains central to the City’s economic agenda. He also said the benefits of export success extend beyond individual firms. Vos elaborated that when a local manufacturer secures an export order, it strengthens an entire value chain. This supports production, logistics, packaging, compliance and distribution. Vos stressed that the impact extends well beyond a single company.
“Businesses that access external markets tend to grow faster and become more resilient,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos.
Resilient exports
A welcome ceremony was held in the week, at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, Herman Venter at this event, highlighted the role of SMEs. Venter believes that when SMEs grow, local and regional economies also show growth. He added that when economies expand, jobs are created, communities stabilize and prosper. Furthermore, when communities stabilize, economies become more resilient.
“SMEs remain the backbone of most economies around the world,” said the Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, Herman Venter at this event, highlighted the role of SMEs.
Export-ready businesses
The programme, held recently, connected 34 international buyers from 17 countries with more than 230 export-ready businesses. It took place against a steady rise in provincial trade performance. According to Wesgro, companies represented priority sectors including manufacturing, design, film and agri-processing. Stander said that strengthening trade requires sustained collaboration.
Where did the buyers hail from:
Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, United States, Canada, Austria, and United Kingdom. This includes 19 new and 15 returning partners.
Returning buyers included leading retail and tourism players from India, the Middle East, Kenya, and China.
New participants featured major names across film, wine importation, fresh produce, large-scale distribution, and food supply – reflecting strong and growing international demand across diverse sectors.
According to a statement: “Complementing the in-person programme is Wesgro’s Cape Trade Portal, a digital marketplace linking 1,290 verified exporters with 8,399 products and services, and 761 registered international buyers across 80 countries. Recently enhanced to improve functionality and user experience, the platform enables sustained engagement long after the hosted meetings conclude.”
