November 2024

27 November 2024 – With a large sector of the deciduous fruit industry now approaching peak export season, logistical challenges at the Port of Cape Town remain the industry’s biggest problem, according to industry body, Hortgro. However, the body welcomes Creecy’s “engagement and drive to rectify the various issues in the port at a quicker […]

25 November 2024 – The container shipping industry is entering the pre-holiday season on a strong note, building on its robust performance over the summer. According to Intermodal’s latest report, the market remains optimistic as key drivers such as increased U.S. imports, growing intra-Asia trade, and persistent supply chain disruptions bolster demand and freight rates.

22 November 2024 – Strengthening consumer demand and an absence of load shedding provided a boost to business confidence in the fourth quarter of 2024, data from RMB and the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) showed yesterday, highlighting that rising productivity provided additional support. This saw the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index for the fourth quarter

20 November 2024 – Businesses in South Africa are starting to take on more debt as their confidence on business conditions has stabilised, fuelled by the suspension of rotational load shedding and a more optimistic economic outlook. The Experian Business Debt Index (BDI), released yesterday, improved to a positive 0.28 in the second quarter of

19 November 14, 2024 – Following the results of the US elections, US-China relations will remain tense and continue to fragment global trade. A renewed but contained trade war could bring nominal global trade growth below 5% in 2026 (-0.6pp), with USD67bn of exports at risk in Europe and China in 2025-26 (half of the

18 November 2024 – Citrus growers in South Africa are among the businesses most nervous that duty- and quota-free exports to the United States could be scrapped next year when Donald Trump returns to the White House. The fruits are among 1,800 products across 32 African countries benefitting from preferential market access under the African

14 November 2024 – Given South Africa’s significant infrastructure challenges, sustained investment in transport infrastructure is critical to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens, says industry professionals’ organisation South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) CEO Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane. Improved infrastructure enhances South Africa’s competitiveness on the global stage, reduces logistics

13 November 2024 – As economic pressures intensify, South Africa’s SMEs face a growing threat of unpaid invoices, which can derail even the most robust businesses. Recent statistics reveal an alarming trend: 40% of SME assets are tied up in customer loans, making them vulnerable to late payments or defaults. 80% of small businesses report struggles with

11 November 2024 – The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) increased seven percent to $3,444 per FEU for the week to November 7, which is 67% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 but 142 percent more than the average $1,420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic). “The average YTD composite index is $4,005 per

11 November 2024 – South Africa’s Consulate General to Shanghai, Ms Phuti Tsipa says it is critical for the country to continue to invest in efforts to ensure that more value added products are exported to global markets. She says this will assist with re-industrialisation and lead to the growth that is needed. She was