TOTAL EXPORTS being shipped out of Cape Town during December rose by 74,67% compared to the same month in 1996, while imports into the harbour rose by 65,16%.
With much of the exports included in food and allied commodities, the figures kept in tune with the general volume of export trade which the country has experienced during the past year.
Figures for 1997 are not, as yet, complete, but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has shown that South Africa is exporting food at a remarkably high level. Indications are that agricultural products accounted for more than 10% of all exports.
In 1996 the figure in this category totalled R12 billion. Ten years previously the figure stood at R2,3billion.
Top agricultural exports are deciduous fruit, maize, sugar, wool and wine. When shortages occur, mainly through drought periods, the country imports wheat, dry beans, cotton and oil seeds in large quantities.
Leading items among agricultural imports are cocoa beans, coffee, rice, tea and rubber.
The continued rise in imports is based mainly on animal foodstuffs and other agricultural requirements, according to Annerine Smith, market research manager at Cape Town harbour.
In addition, the import figure was boosted in December through the port as a result of what she terms 'a late Christmas rush.'
Cape Town harbour's total imports for the period April-December last year rose by 44,29% while exports for the same period jumped by 12,81% The export figure normally takes a marked hike in December during the height of the fruit delivery season.
Agricultural exports rocket
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