The Western Cape has secured another international investment, with Italian agricultural machinery manufacturer SDF opening its South African commercial subsidiary in Paarl.

The 100-year-old company behind Same tractors, Deutz-Fahr tractors and Gregoire grape harvesters, will oversee the operations of its brands in South Africa, through existing importer and dealer partnerships, from its new office in the Cape Winelands.

The move into the Western Cape follows SDF’s recent relaunch and consolidation of its Deutz-Fahr and Same brands in South Africa, announced earlier this month at the Nampo show in Bothaville, in the Free State.

SDF is no stranger to South Africa, as the group signed its first partnership here in 1959, when the company introduced its vineyard tractors to Stellenbosch.

The company’s fresh expansion into the Western Cape forms part of its broader African growth strategy following the opening of its first sub-Saharan African commercial subsidiary in Tanzania last year.

SDF says South Africa is the largest tractor market in Africa, with increasing demand for mechanisation and productivity-enhancing technologies across the agricultural sector.

“The opening of SDF South Africa marks an important milestone for SDF and reflects our long-term commitment to South Africa’s agricultural sector,” notes SDF CEO Lodovico Bussolati.

“Through our local presence, we aim to strengthen partnerships, support farmers and build enduring trust as we grow alongside the market.”

As part of its local market strategy, SDF is working alongside two key South African partners.

Kempston Agri, part of the Kempston Group, will distribute the Same heritage brand across South Africa through its existing dealer network, while Smith Power Equipment, part of the Royal Reesink Group, will oversee the nationwide distribution of the Deutz-Fahr product range.

Together, the partnerships will provide South African farmers with access to tractors ranging from 45 hp to 350 hp, as well as a comprehensive portfolio of specialised vineyard and orchard machinery.

Tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, Wesgro, says the SDF investment further strengthens the region’s agricultural and agriprocessing ecosystem, with the Western Cape accounting for more than 52% of South Africa’s primary agriculture, valued at $3.76-billion.

Between 2014 and 2023, the sector, with more than two-million hectares under production, attracted more than $350-million in greenfield investment.

“This investment reflects growing momentum within the Western Cape’s agricultural and agriprocessing sectors and further reinforces the region’s position as a globally competitive destination for agricultural investment and innovation,” comments Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander.