The increase was largely driven by exports, which surged 40.5% to $18.6 billion, reflecting rising global demand
Prices have increased by over 30%, favouring gold-producing countries like South Africa, but structural issues are dampening opportunities This content is restricted to…
Your morning cuppa may cost a little more because of heavy rainfall in Brazil and drought in Vietnam
Chocolate products have become more expensive on the back of soaring cocoa prices, but there is not likely to be a shortage
Unlocking the full growth potential over the long run will require policy interventions in agriculture and cross-cutting government departments
In coming years, Uganda’s GDP growth is set to accelerate as recent and ongoing public investments begin to yield returns
Finally, analysts are prepared to vouch that the worst is over but some warnings persist.
The well-diversified index has taken off as a result of a renewed interest in commodities.
Africa’s oil-producing and metal-rich giants face a difficult year in which growth will be hampered.
Producers are taking a big hit and there is little chance of exporting the surplus.
The big sell-off of the metal is a symptom of the global price slumps – and the worst is yet to come.
The fall in prices of commodities, which are South Africa’s lifeline, will offset lower fuel costs.
Weaker demand for mineral products and labour unrest have been flagged as economic risk factors.
Analysts have warned against too much optimism, saying investors turn to the metal when they are worried about the dollar.
Maize futures has fallen to a one-month low as the strengthening of the rand made imports more affordable.
There has been a return of commodity risk, with commodities breaking free of their ties to other asset classes and delivering different performances.
Labour unrest that has taken new and more challenging forms is compounding the effects of slumping commodity prices.
No one wants even to conceive what will happen to our resource shares if commodity prices fall further from current levels.
The mooted merger between commodities trader Glencore and mining company Xstrata is likely to face few regulatory hurdles in South Africa.
But Glencore and Xstrata executives maintain that they are merely consolidating their business.
