Government-backed export incentive schemes, like the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s marketing assistance programme that helps South African producers exhibit at major international trade fairs, have repeatedly helped smaller local producers win real international recognition and new export contracts they couldn’t have secured independently.
How export marketing incentive schemes typically work
Government schemes of this kind cover or subsidise the cost of taking a business delegation to major international trade fairs, giving smaller producers, wine makers, agro-processors, manufacturers, access to expensive international market exposure that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Being part of an organised government delegation also often carries additional credibility with international buyers compared to an individual company exhibiting alone.
Why international competition wins matter beyond the immediate prize
Winning recognition at a major international trade fair or competition gives a smaller producer marketing material and third-party validation that can meaningfully influence purchasing decisions in that specific export market going forward. Producers who’ve won this kind of recognition have consistently used it directly in their subsequent marketing and export strategy, turning a single competition result into an ongoing sales asset.
What South African producers should know about accessing these schemes
Producers in export-capable sectors, agriculture, wine, food processing, manufactured goods, should research their industry’s specific government export assistance schemes directly with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, since these programmes typically require an application process well ahead of a specific trade fair or mission. Building relationships with international distributors met at these events, rather than treating a single trade fair as the end goal, is generally what converts initial exposure into an actual ongoing export relationship.
Frequently asked questions
What do government export marketing incentive schemes typically cover?
Assistance with the cost of taking business delegations to major international trade fairs, developing new export markets.
Why does winning international recognition matter beyond the immediate prize?
It provides marketing material and third-party validation that can influence purchasing decisions in that specific export market ongoing.
Does exhibiting as part of a government delegation carry advantages over exhibiting alone?
Yes, it often carries additional credibility with international buyers compared to an individual company attending independently.
How should producers access these export assistance schemes?
By researching their specific sector’s programmes directly with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition well ahead of a planned trade fair.
Is attending one trade fair enough to build a lasting export relationship?
No, building ongoing relationships with distributors met at these events matters more than treating a single event as the end goal.
Originally published in May 2018. Updated September 2026.
Export support via the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
