Zimbabwe commodities making a big comeback

Chrome has emerged as South Africa’s top metal export commodity to the East and is likely to remain there thanks to high demand from China. That’s according to Safmarine’s national commodity manager Steven Simpson who says exports of South African chrome have been very strong during 2010 with no sign of a slowdown in 2011. “This market is however very volatile and the business highly dependent on the demand and buying patterns of the East.” Safmarine has also seen increasing interest from the Chinese in Zimbabwean chrome and the line has worked with key South African exporters to take advantage of these opportunities, he said. There’s been particular focus on overcoming the logistical challenges associated with the exports of Zimbabwe’s high quality chrome. “In general Zimbabwe’s commodity market is making a huge comeback,” said Simpson. “In addition to metal and minerals, the country’s exports of cotton and tobacco are doing well and if all goes well, the Zimbabwean commodity market could soon be back to its full potential.”