The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party wants to make changes to the constitution providing a legal basis for the planned land grabs.
Its proposed amendments to Section 25 of the constitution would clear the way for white farmers’ land to be sized without compensation.
The issue of land ownership is a hugely controversial subject in South Africa, with 72 percent of private land owned by white people.
The country remains deeply racially divided and unequal 24 years after Nelson Mandela swept to power at the end of apartheid.
Dr John Purchase, the CEO of AgBiz, a group representing agricultural firms, warned the government against making constitutional changes.
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He told Express.co.uk: “We are in favour of land reform to create a more equitable ownership pattern.
“But the government shouldn’t be thinking about amending the constitution – it’s simply not necessary. It could harm property rights and affect the economy.
“The current constitution provides more than enough room to make these changes.”
Gwede Mantashe, the ANC’s chairman, recently spoke out in favour of land expropriation.
He said white farmers who own more than 12,000 hectares of land should be forced to hand over their share to the government.
Mr Mantashe said: “People who are privileged never give away privilege as a matter of a gift.
“And that is why we say, to give you the tools, revisit the constitution so that you have a legal tool to do it.
“The responsibility of coming on board is with us and with them.”
Annelize Crosby, from the agricultural body AgriSA, urged farmers to remain calm amid the ongoing row.
She said: “This is an issue we need to sort out as a country – it’s not going to go away.
“We must have a robust debate about land issues because people are very emotional on both sides of the spectrum.
“This is a time for people to take cool heads. We don’t want this country going up in flames, and we don’t want people to take the law into their own hands.
“Nothing will be resolved overnight, but I’m hopeful that we can turn this around and find a solution.”