The Trump factor, plus the ANC and the DA playing to the brink, has cost the country R1 trillion
The economic fallout includes a risk of US recession and global trade network disruptions, but history shows that patient investors may be rewarded as market volatility settles and rebounds take shape.
Forging ties with other markets as they navigate trade wars with the US is a wise strategy.
The Chinese agricultural market is enormous, with more than $200 billion in imports annually.
Despite this drop, trade figures remain encouraging, but various departments need to address policy and other issues to boost exports
America is South Africa’s third largest trading partner, with 7.7% of goods exported to the US and 8.2% imported from the US
Yet plans are underway to import more plastic waste into the country and it has not signed global plastics treaty
The government and stakeholders will have to work harder to ensure the industry adapts and thrives
The master plan to rescue the industry means that at least 80% of sugar consumption will come from South African farms and millers
Buying local sugar allows black farmers to sustain their own families and others
Tightened belts meant South Africans ate 19% less chicken last year, and local farmers say dumped imports and the hard lockdown have hurt their businesses
The AfCFTA is set to be implemented at the same time as the globe tackles post-Covid-19 recovery. Deeping continental integration can help to boost economies, particularly if stemming illicit financial flows is prioritised
There is a grim downside to the upturn, which reflects an economy performing well under par.
Macroeconomic events go right down the line to those struggling to make a living on the streets.
Africans are snapping up cheap, second-hand cars but the Southern African region pays dearly for this.
Drought in some key maize-growing regions has curbed output, and maize is being imported for the first time in 22 months as a result.
A narrowing of the worrisome trade deficit will not be thanks to a the spiralling currency, say experts.
South African frozen chips are under threat by European imports – and the local market is fighting back.
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