January 2024

16 January 2024 – Data breaches, attacks on critical infrastructure or physical assets and increased ransomware attacks drive cyber concerns (36% of responses) • Business interruption remains #2 with 31% of responses. Natural catastrophes is the biggest riser compared to 2023 with 26% in #3 • Critical infrastructure blackouts is the top business risk in […]

15 January 2024 – A review of South Africa’s trade data for the period 2018 to 2022 revealed that South Africa remained a net exporter in value terms, peaking the positive balance during this period to R444.53 billion in 2021 from lows of R15.21 billion in 2018 and R31.80 billion in 2019. In 2022, the

12 January 2024 – In a strategic move to strengthen its footprint and enhance its shipping solutions, SACO CFR is set to expand its export consolidation service in 2024. The neutral consolidator has just unveiled a service connecting Johannesburg and Heathrow, marking a significant milestone in its continuous efforts to streamline international trade. “The past

11 January 2024 – Annual producer price inflation (final manufacturing) saw a larger-than-expected drop, potentially adding further relief to consumer price inflation. According to Stats SA, annual producer price inflation – a leading indicator for consumer inflation – dropped from 5.8% in October 2023 to 4.6% in November 2023 – below Bloomberg consensus expectations of

10 January 2024 – Those involved in the country’s rooibos industry have received a new years boost as the world’s largest tea market has decided to substantially reduce tariff rates on imports of South African rooibos tea. The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition announced that the Chinese government has decided to slash tariffs on

9 January 2024 – After an encouraging recovery of 2,8% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) in the second quarter of 2023, South Africa’s agricultural gross value added contracted by 9,6% in the third quarter. The ample field crop, whose harvest was a month behind the typical schedule, would still be reflected in the third-quarter data. For example,