THE FLOW of mohair exports from Port Elizabeth harbour has smoothed from large one-off orders to smaller shipments throughout the year. Many buyers in countries like Italy, China, France and the UK have moved to a more precisely calculated, just-intime basis; they are ordering smaller quantities more frequently, to be delivered within six weeks. The mohair trade is estimated to bring South Africa some R500million a year. The production figure for last year was three million kg produced by approximately 925 000 goats, says Mohair SA general manager Deon Saayman. While shearing seasons remain the same, market dynamics have changed from the days when a manufacturing company placed a huge order and used up the quantities over a year. The quietest time for local exporters is June-August – the European holiday period - but mohair exports are generally brisk throughout the year, including our Christmas holidays when exporters are under pressure to meet Chinese orders before the Asian New Year close-down early in the new year. “Although health certificates are still required for many mohair export orders from South Africa, some countries require a health certificate certifying there is no danger of diseases like foot and mouth, if the order is for animal hair that has not been washed and combed,” explained Saayman. “Processed mohair, packed in high-density bales and then containerised, is not a problem.”
