Farm Jobs Fall as Unemployment Rises to 33.7%

Agricultural employment in South Africa dropped about 4% between the second and third quarters of 2026, as official unemployment edged higher.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Employment

Isometric editorial illustration of a stack of weathered wooden farm crates standing alone at the edge of a bare field, in oxblood, mustard, and cream tones. — Agricultural employment in South Africa fell about 4% between the second and third quarters of 2026 as fuel and fertiliser costs rose and national unemployment edged up to 33.7%. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Employment in South Africa's agricultural sector fell by around 4% between Q2 and Q3 2026, reaching 911,000 jobs. Over the same period the official unemployment rate rose to 33.7% from 33.6%.

Why it matters

Rising fuel and fertiliser costs are squeezing farm operations, and the agricultural job losses add to a national unemployment rate that remains above 33%. The shift matters for rural households that depend on farm wages.

Agricultural employment fell about 4% to 911,000 in Q3 2026, compared with a typical long-term level of around 800,000 jobs. The official unemployment rate rose to 33.7% from 33.6%, and it is not yet clear whether the farm job losses will continue.

The details

Agricultural sector employment declined between the second and third quarters of 2026, with input costs, particularly fuel and fertiliser, having risen over the period. The data show that the sector's workforce, which stood at 911,000 in Q3, remains above its typical long-term level of around 800,000.

Q2 2026: baseline quarter for the agricultural employment decline and unemployment rate.
Q3 2026: agricultural employment fell about 4% and unemployment rose to 33.7%.

Economic Context

The 33.7% unemployment rate continues the elevated level recorded in South Africa's quarterly labour force survey, where the rate has remained above 33% in recent quarters. The agricultural decline sits against that backdrop of persistently high joblessness.

Higher fuel and fertiliser costs can push up food prices and reduce the number of farm jobs available to rural workers. Households that depend on agricultural wages may face tighter budgets in the coming months.

The takeaway

Watch the quarterly labour figures for whether the farm job losses deepen or stabilise, since sustained declines would weigh on rural incomes. Households exposed to agricultural wages should review their budgets against rising input-cost pressures.