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South Africa’s maize export activity continues, but at a slower pace
We continue to observe maize exports from South Africa to the Southern African region, but the volumes remain much smaller than I anticipated. The stocks are low in Zimbabwe, and I thought they would .....
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The India-EU free trade agreement should serve as an inspiration for the BRICS to follow the same path.
India has just signed an ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union. This adds to the list of other trade agreements they have recently signed with Britain, New Zealand and Oman. We also h.....
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Our formal work for the year in BRICS begins. Let it be a productive year
Work ahead of the BRICS Summit in India later this year has begun. In a working group I participate in, we will have our first meeting next week. As in previous years, each working group explores.....
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Non-tariff barriers distort agricultural trade
Indermit Gill, the chief economist of the World Bank Group, has a brilliant essay in this week’s issue of The Economist. He focuses on how countries have, over time, increased their use of technical n.....
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South Africa's food prices rose at a softer pace in 2025 compared to a year ago
Between meetings and everything that is happening up here in DAVOS, I hadn't had much time to look at our inflation data for December 2025, which Statistics South Africa released in the morning on Jan.....
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AGOA Renewal – Status Update
Progress has been made regarding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). During January 2026, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill proposing an extension of A.....
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What the excessive rains in Limpopo mean for agriculture
The recent floods in Limpopo are worrying. Amongst other things, Limpopo is a vital horticulture producer in South Africa. We have some major avocado, macadamia nut, litchi, banana, citrus, and mango .....
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Congress moves on AGOA – a welcome ray of light but context still relevant
This week, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that seeks to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act for an additional three years. AGOA, as it is commonly referred to, is not a trade .....
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South Africa’s wine grape production heads into 2026 with optimism
We are receiving optimistic news from the South African wine industry. It appears that the excellent production conditions of 2025 will continue into 2026.South Africa Wine, a wine and brandy producer.....
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South Africa-Brazil Seminar Highlights Science-Based Solutions for Protein Security
In a high-level bilateral seminar hosted by the Brazilian Embassy and the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), experts from Brazil and South Africa gathered to discuss strategies to strengt.....
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