eNewsletter

2016/23

21 July 2016

Policy and legislation

NEDLAC Trade and Industry Chamber (TIC) meets

The NEDLAC Trade and Industry Chamber met on the 20th of July 2016 to receive government presentations and to deliberate on, among others, the following matters:

- The dti's Incentive Programmes. Please click on the dti Incentives to peruse presentation; Many members have benefited from the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhance Programme (MCEP), but unfortunately the programme has come to an end as it has reached its budgeted limit. However, good news is that the programme has been reviewed and a similar programme may very well be launched soon as the review was essentially positive. Agbiz will keep members informed.

- The recently released Draft Intellectual Property Policy Framework for consultation. Please click on IP Policy Framework presentation to peruse the presentation, or click on Full Framework to download the full Draft IP Policy Framework. The Framework will soon be gazetted for comment and submissions must be made by 31 August 2016. Agbiz will submit comment. Seed and biotechnology companies especially need to take note of this Policy Framework.

- Presentation on Illegal Imports, Customs Fraud and Substandard Products by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). Please click on NRCS Presentation to peruse. All constituencies are looking to improve the capacity of NRCS to broaden and improve its critically important service.

- The full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union can be downloaded at http://www.thedti.gov.za/trade_investment/trade.jsp. Companies and industries in the export business would do well to access the link. Various other in-house trade matters arose and these will be dealt with at the Council meeting on 31 August, as well as in direct communication to members.

All these matters are of importance to the agribusiness community and members are advised to peruse the information provided. Currently Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, is the Convener for Business at the NEDLAC Trade and Industry Chamber, and chaired said meeting on a rotational basis.

Economic and agribusiness intelligence

Food inflation accelerates in line with market expectations

Recent data from Statistics South Africa indicates that in June 2016, headline inflation accelerated to 6.3% year-on-year (y/y) from 6.1% y/y in May 2016.

Agbiz economist, Wandile Sihlobo, provides more insight in the linked documentť

Brief comments on South Africa's bread market

South Africa produces on average 168 million units (loaves) of bread a month, with 50% being white bread, 48% brown bread and the balance whole wheat bread. Some analysts have argued that recent increases in maize meal prices could possibly drive consumers to substitute products such as bread and potatoes. However, recent bread production trends show a mixed picture - brown bread production has seen an increase, while there has not been any significant shifts in white bread production over the past 11 months. Wandile Sihlobo and Tinashe Kapuya provide more information in the linked document.

SA maize industry must prioritise access to top 25 most attractive markets

Over the years, there have been structural changes in South African agricultural markets, which have had a significant influence on the trade and marketing of agricultural commodities, particularly that of maize. The full article written by Wandile Sihlobo has been published in *The Greenkeeperť

*The Greenkeeper is a discussion platform for agribusinesses and is hosted by Agbiz.

Daily market viewpoint on agri-commodities

South Africa is very much integrated into a dynamic global market, which is characterised by rapid changes. To support decision makers in this environment, Agbiz members receive daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends via e-mail. The latest and historic commentaries are available on the Agbiz website www.agbiz.co.za

Weekly wrap of agri-commodities

In addition to Agbiz's daily commentaries on agricultural commodity markets and macro-economic trends that members receive via e-mail, Agbiz will on Fridays consolidate all the weekly key events in the South African agricultural markets in a RSA Agricultural Commodities Weekly Wrap. The latest wrap is available on the Agbiz website www.agbiz.co.za

Members News

Senwes goes solar

All roofs of the Senwes buildings and carports are now covered with solar panels. The total projected solar utilisation per annum constitutes 39% of the total electricity consumption at Senwes head office and will result in a cost saving of R2 million in the first year. Read moreť

NAMC has released the following publications:

- South African Fruit Trade Flowť

- Agripreneur, June 2016ť

- Input cost monitoringť

- Journal paper: New Value Chains for Small-Scale and Emerging Cattle Farmers in South Africať

VKB Milling extends

VKB has added the Zoutpansberg Mill in Louis Trichardt to its company to trade under VKB Milling (Pty) Ltd. Read moreť

Industry news

North West University Trade Newsletter

- www.nwu.ac.za

Trade and sustainable development news and analysis on Africa

- Bridges Africa