Port Edward, KZN, SA – I get 15 to 20 emails a day offering me stock, some of them for quite large pairages, so there are a lot of cancelled orders out there, including some from South Africa.

All that distressed stock globally hasn’t, so far, affected our business.

We’re very summer orientated, so we’ve survived winter, and orders for summer are coming in nicely. 

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Retired former footwear manufacturer Colin Pedlar died after a long illness on 18 July 2025, aged 79. An obituary will follow in the September issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods. 

Durban, KZN, SA – It has been a struggle this year so far with regards to business.

There are more negative factors surrounding the trade at the moment, and after a very long time, we are seeing this decline in orders with regards to our factory in particular.

Chain stores are not on our side to say the least, but we remain proactive and keep creating new developments.

We remain hopeful that there will be a turnaround soon, fingers crossed. 

Durban, KZN, SA – I thought it would be worthwhile clarifying possible misinterpretations of the recent position being developed by SA Government through the dtic, to try to reduce the tariffs imposed by the US.

It is important to note that the details are highly confidential.

The position being adopted by SA is to develop an offer to the US that provides some form of tariff relief for US exports into SA.

Access for SA into the US will depend upon how the US reacts to the SA offer.

The SA proposal on tariff relief for US exports into SA contains some elements that have been circulated confidentially to concerned sectors for feedback and comment.

Note that SA has a further complication as it is part of the SACU customs union and the other member states would have to confirm their agreement to a tariff proposal. There may be possible ways to overcome this technicality, but these have not been discussed yet.

I hope this brief note puts the recent developments in a clearer perspective. 

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – FINALLY, someone (SAFLEC in this case) has seen the light. From DAY 1, I have been at pains to explain to people that a "blanket" system to the tariff structure makes zero sense. The HS system has to be used. e.g. I can import alligator skins (raw / crust or dyed finished) at 0% duty from the USA. SA Nile crocodile skins (any form) exported to the USA are now at 30%. Both fall under tariff code 4103.20.00 Tanned, dyed reptile skins. There is no disruption to the alligator industry from our Nile skins. I like a Ferrari, you prefer a Chrysler. If you do not make it, how can you apply a punitive tariff? The high-end watch makers from Switzerland face the exact same dilemma as us here in SA.

There is a very important background issue to be taken into consideration. For the crocodile skins industry (and many others). The fewer skins sold, the farmers will grow fewer animals, and it is ultimately the employees who are retrenched that suffer. I assure you all the farmers are at the edge as it is, prices are not great, and inputs increase each month.

Please do not get me started on the fools who say, "ah just find markets elsewhere". They have zero idea how long that takes. The USA makes up 30% of my sales. It has taken me 4 years to establish a solid working relationship with my distributor. The market in the East is very fickle. Africa is not a large market for crocodile skins. I have 1 buyer in Nigeria, and a few small operators here in SA. I also find it "strange", 3 days after the 30% came into effect, that 2 of my buyers from Asia called. Re my offers June/July, they will consider the skins at a 20% discount. Co-incidence NOT.

According to Reuters, the EU and the United States struck a framework trade deal in late July but only the baseline tariff of 15% has so far been implemented. The EU is still waiting for the White House to issue executive orders to cover carve-outs, such as on the automotive industry.

Carve outs??

It can be done. DT (his advisors) will eventually/hopefully see the error in the process and adjust accordingly.