April 2026

30 April 2026 – South Africa’s agricultural sector is entering its next cycle amid exceptionally high levels of global uncertainty. Although the industry has shown resilience in recent years, performing strongly despite logistical challenges and biological threats which is a combination of geopolitical instability, escalating energy costs and mounting climate risks is reshaping the environment […]

29 April 2026 – Multiple major Chinese ports have recently launched direct shipping routes with African countries as China-Africa trade ties deepen, with zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China expected to take effect on May 1. The launch of more direct shipping routes will further boost bilateral trade, offering

28 April 2026 – After nearly two decades of weak growth, declining investment and rising structural constraints, South Africa faced a narrow window in which decisive reforms could determine whether it escaped long‑term stagnation or remained trapped in low growth. To unpack these dynamics, trade credit risk management company, Coface South Africa hosted a live

23 April 2026 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the global economy faces recession if the conflict in the Middle East continues—with energy-importing countries like South Africa at even greater risk. In a report published last week, IMF economists warned that a longer or broader conflict could significantly weaken growth and destabilise

21 April 2026 – Global disruptions are reshaping cargo flows, with freight forwarders increasingly turning to consolidation as volatility in lead times and freight rates intensifies. According to Michelle Horner, trade and WWA manager at SACO Shipping, ongoing disruption across trade lanes is driving a shift in shipping behaviour, with clients opting for smaller, more

21 April 2026 – The Western Cape fruit industry is moving to address a long-standing structural gap: the absence of locally based manufacturing for packhouse equipment. For decades, grading systems, conveyor lines and related technology have largely been imported. The establishment of a production facility in Paarl signals a shift in how packhouses may source,

20 April 2026 – IMF economists warned that the war in Iran could have “very, certainly severe” consequences far outside the region – especially for energy-importing countries. Countries in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are among those most affected now — and those that could suffer the most — outside the region, as the conflict

17 April 2026 – South Africa’s trade balance has strengthened sharply at the start of the year, but rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict are beginning to cloud the outlook. The country recorded a trade surplus of R45.4 billion in the first two months of the year, up from R3.3 billion in

15 April 2026 – Imports remain widely misunderstood in the public debate around South Africa’s trade policy, according to Francois Fouche, research fellow at the Centre for African Management and Markets at GIBS, who argues that imports are not simply a threat to local industry but a fundamental part of economic growth. “Trade benefits an

14 April 2026 – SOUTH Africa faces a tough economic road in 2026. While the 2025 GDP growth rate of 1.1% improved on 2024’s 0.5%, the composition of that growth tells a concerning story. Household consumption drove the gains; gross fixed capital formation declined by 2.2%. Investment in infrastructure, plant, and machinery remains stuck in