Domestic demand pushes up imports

Domestic demand has boosted perishable imports – particularly from the likes of Uganda, Kenya and Egypt – while exports are on the decline, according to managing director of Skyservices, Bernd Jülicher. “Advances in seafreight technology, a greater global emphasis on neutral carbon miles by supermarkets, as well as increased competition from other countries offering similar products have all contributed to this decline," he said. “The increased domestic demand for seasonal produce all year round has however boosted imports.” “Business into and out of Africa is also growing,” said Jülicher, adding that the additional airfreight capacity over recent years has been a great boost. “With airfreight routes opening up, increased global interest in developing African markets, and with our prime geographical location, Africa is our oyster.” He said for South Africa to remain competitive in the perishables market it was necessary for “the powers that be” to ensure that bilateral trade agreements remained in place, and that those currently being set up were fast tracked. The continuous escalation of costs in South Africa, such as labour and energy, are worrying factors, he added. Skyservices’ main export markets out of Johannesburg and Cape Town are Europe and the Middle and Far East, with the latter two showing increased demand. The Far East is a major growing market for f lowers and the Far East and the United States are still major markets for seafood. “Fresh tuna volumes out of the Cape are are currently being exported in reasonable volumes,” said Jülicher. He added that the Cape was also developing less traditional fruit exports such as figs, blueberries and pomegranates which also offered some export growth opportunities. The company launched a pharmaceutical handling division last year in conjunction with global forwarding company DHL, which it hopes to extend. “We are on target in terms of volumes and we hope to take advantage of opportunities with DHL for further development,” said Jülicher. INSERT & CAPTION The Cape is developing less traditional fruit exports such as figs, blueberries and pomegranates. – Bernd Jülicher