by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 22, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
Russia agreed not to attack Ukrainian grain vessels, which could restore the grain trade in the Black Sea region. The deal was a multinational effort to avert the global food crisis and will likely contribute positively to grain supplies. The immediate benefit should be through softening of grain prices, although possibly marginal.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 16, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
The obstacles faced by the SA wool and citrus industries illustrate growing protectionism across the world and a strong need for the SA government to actively assist in preserving these export routes. The threats to agribusinesses are severe, in a country that has flagged agriculture as a critical industry for economic growth and job creation.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jul 9, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
Recently we have seen how the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war destabilised global supply chains, with many countries looking inward for long-term security of supply. The pandemic and geopolitical friction have also increased protectionism, especially in the EU.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jun 12, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
We now have the trade data for the first quarter of 2022, and positively, exports are up, modestly, by 1% y/y to US$2,96 billion. This is also up by 6% quarter-on-quarter.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Jun 10, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
Governments worldwide should do all they can within their fiscal abilities to support agricultural production, avert a global food crisis, and not rely on trade policy instruments that hurt the developing world.
by Wandile Sihlobo | May 5, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
The session focused on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the South African economy. There were excellent speakers, Professors Nicola Viegi and Heinrich Bohlmann, from the University of Pretoria. They provided valuable inputs on energy and macroeconomy dynamics. My input was mainly on agriculture and food supply dynamics. I also commented on the effects of the KZN devastating rains on the sector.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Apr 30, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
Indonesia has recently banned palm oil exports to protect domestic consumers from rising prices. Such a policy approach by a country that accounted for an average of 54% of global palm oil exports in value terms over the past five years will have profound price implications for the global vegetable oils market.
by Wandile Sihlobo | Apr 24, 2022 | Agricultural Trade
South Africa’s agricultural import bill in 2021 was US$6,9 billion. The top five imported products that year were palm oil, rice, wheat, poultry meat as well as whiskies and other spirits.