S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.14, April 07 2025
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After the tariff big bang, mostly shocked silence among SA exporters
People in the SA leather value chain affected by the new US tariff on imports from SA appear to be taken aback by the level of the tariff, but unsure how it will unfold, and mostly declining comment.
Only 4 of the many approached last week responded.
“We spoke to our USA customers this afternoon,” wrote Cape Karoo International MD Francois de Wet, who’s company exports ostrich leather to Western boot makers in the US. “From the discussion it is clear that there is huge uncertainty about the road ahead. I cannot see that CKI will be able to contribute more than this during the next 2 weeks.”
“To be honest, I have nothing to say,” wrote Cape Cobra Leathercraft marketing director Justine Schäfer. “Shocked and ‘commentless’. At this point I believe by law he cannot remove AGOA until September – also I was just in the USA and everything he says is unable to be processed with immediate effect... so I think this will only become a reality in a couple of weeks as they 'iron out’ what’s actually happening. It's too soon to comment.”
– Justine
Fellow exotic leather handbag exporter Majda Rabin of Chimpel wrote: “Hard to say but I think they will reduce my volume to compensate the increase in taxes.”
Nerisha Jairaj, executive director of the SA Footwear & Leather Export Council (SAFLEC), which normally takes groups of SA footwear and leather goods manufacturers to trade fairs in the US, repeated her statement last week: “Our comment remains the same. We are currently discussing under a national forum the way forward.”
Trump appears to show no understanding of – or concern for – sourcing pipelines, and affected parties can have no idea whether or when tariffs will be implemented, changed or dropped.
Among the many issues raised by the new tariffs, spare a thought for Lesotho (especially) and Mauritius, which have textile industries set up by Chinese companies to take advantage of AGOA. The ownership of the businesses has never been hidden, and appears to have been accepted by the US, in exchange for the employment they create in those countries. Lesotho, which is a very poor country, will be very badly affected if the 50% tariff imposed on it goes ahead.
Another possibility is that apparel markets around the world may be flooded with Far Eastern goods originally destined for the US. This has happened in the past when for various reasons the US market has been drastically reduced.
Footwear imports up nearly 19% last year
uMhlanga, KZN, SA – Footwear imports into SA grew from 156.8 million pairs in 2023 to 186.4 million pairs in 2024, according to SAFLIA executive director Jirka Vymĕtal. “That’s up 18.9% in a time when the economy is shrinking,” he said. “Once again, the growth is just cheap footwear.
“In 2024 we ended the year with 50 million pairs locally made.
“Exports, excluding to the BELN countries, dropped 17.7%, from 3.68 million to 3.03 million.”
SAFLIA excludes exports to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia, which are mainly by SA chain retailers to their outlets in those countries, “because they can create ambiguity and it does not form part of our export programme, as the chains are in total control of this”, he said.
New appointment
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Marc Lailvaux, formerly marketing manager at Mossop Leather in Wellington, has joined upmarket pet products manufacturer Chommies to head up procurement.
They Said It
"Just last day or so with Trumpie Boy and his tariffs, I have so been thinking of our footwear trade of past. When we had French house of Leon Weil active in this market selling loads of trims and then they slapped huge duties on. And then reciprocal tariffs and, and, and…. then the whole trade collapsed!! We could teach the old boy a thing or two from experience… it ain’t going to work!!" - Allison Gans, who has closed G.W. Cowie & Co. Agencies, Westville, KZN, SA, to retire.
"Still very glad (and proud) to live in a so-called ‘sh*thole country’ in Africa rather than a musk scented AI generated computer game run by a game show host. We have our problems but at least we know what they are and how to deal with them." - Nick Bryant, Profit Safety Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. More from him and his father in next week’s They Said It column.
Got anything you'd like to share?
Do you have any suggestions, comments or experiences about the industry that you'd like to share with the industry? - tony@svmag.co.za
New subscribers last week
Brett-Lee, East Asian Import & Export, Durban, South Africa
Birthdays this week
08/04/1946: Colin Pedlar, retired to Cape Town, W. Cape, SA, formerly Reflex Footwear, Maputsoe, Lesotho.
08/04/1965: Gregg Ripley-Evans, John Whittle Components, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
09/04/1970: Rob McCann, Treadsafe, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
09/04/1970: Marely Koen, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/04/1976: Carlo Grillenzoni, former footwear commission agent, joined the firearms industry in 2022, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
10/04/1948: Gert Muller, Sonop, Bethlehem, Free State, SA.
10/04/1958: Ismail Shah, Evoné, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
11/04/1952: Nigel Dowden, retired, formerly Component Wholesalers (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
11/04/1976: Janine Govender, Nikkita Footwear (closed), Durban, KZN, SA.
12/04/1922: Harry Hoyte, retired, formerly Hoyte Shoes/agent, Durban, KZN, SA.
12/04/1968: Kobie Koen, Vellie Boutique, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
13/04/1970: Jason Wilkins, agent/retailer, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
13/04/1973: Pieter Mulder, Julian Thom Outfitters & Sport cc, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, SA.
13/04/1976: Gareth Kemp, Apollo Brands, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
In memoriam this week
07/04/2022: Hans Beier (b. 02/10/1936), Beier Group, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
08/04/2011: Jack Katz, Treets Footwear [closed], Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/04/2021: Brian Wallis (b. 16/10/1945), Newtech [closed], Shoetech and Safety-Boyz, Durban, KZN, SA.
10/04/2021: Colin Gerrans (b. 05/03/1937), Silverton Tannery, Hanni & Sons, Seton AutoLeather, Nigel, Gauteng, SA.
12/04/2023: Adrian McElhinney (b. 03/04/1944), retired, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA. Formerly Edworks [closed], Millana Shoes [closed], Woolworths and Universal Footwear [closed].
13/04/2014: Theuns JK Viljoen (b. 25/12/1942), Divac [closed], George, W. Cape, SA.
13/04/2022: Walter Kurth (b. 11/05/1951), retired, formerly Corbeau, Cape Town, W Cape, SA.
Have you let us know about your birthday, or the birthdays of your colleagues? Our readers love this section, so please become part of it. This also applies to the In Memoriam section. Help us remember former colleagues.
Directory entries updated last week
Angel Footwear Manufacturers cc, Durban, KZN, SA.
Angelsoft Shoes [Reunion Footwear Components cc], Durban, KZN, SA.
Astor South Africa (Pty) Ltd [Subsidiary of Astor-Berning GmbH & Co KG], Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
Astor South Africa (Pty) Ltd [Subsidiary of Astor-Berning GmbH & Co KG] KZN branch, Tongaat, KZN, SA.
Astor South Africa (Pty) Ltd [Subsidiary of Astor-Berning GmbH & Co KG] W. Cape branch, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Avio Clearing & Forwarding (Pty) Ltd, Kempton Park, Gauteng, SA.
Aviocean (Cape Town) (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Aviocean (Natal), Durban, KZN, SA.
Bay Solutions, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
Beier Envirotec (Pty) Ltd, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
ITL [International Trimmings & Labels SA (Pty) Ltd], Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
ITL [International Trimmings & Labels SA (Pty) Ltd], KZN branch, Durban, KZN, SA.
Metal & Tool Trade (Pty) Ltd, Kempton Park, Gauteng, SA.
Mossop Leather [Mossop-Western Leathers (Pty) Ltd], Wellington, W. Cape, SA.
National Braiding Industries (Pty) Ltd, Loskop, KZN, SA.
NDSS Trading (Pty) Ltd, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
Protech V cc, Westville, KZN, SA.
Reunion Footwear Components cc, Durban, KZN, SA.
Ribtech cc, Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
Rolfes Leather (Pty) Ltd, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
Rory Anderson Agencies (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Rubber Incorporated (Pty) Ltd, Midrand, Gauteng, SA.
Sayet Agencies (Pty) Ltd, Durban, KZN, SA.
Sew Solutions (Cape Town), Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
Sew Solutions (Durban), Pinetown, KZN, SA.
Fairs & events updated last week
31 October – 04 November: Canton Fair Autumn Phase 3, Guangzhou, China.
 
Exchange rates
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
1. SA Rand (ZAR)/Lesotho Loti (LSL)/Namibian Dollar (NAD)/Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 04/01/2025 |
R19.31 |
R23.26 |
R18.72 |
R2.55 |
| 11/01/2025 |
R19.57 |
R23.32 |
R19.10 |
R2.60 |
| 18/01/2025 |
R19.25 |
R22.81 |
R18.73 |
R2.55 |
| 25/01/2025 |
R19.30 |
R22.95 |
R18.39 |
R2.53 |
| 01/02/2025 |
R19.35 |
R23.13 |
R18.67 |
R 2.57 |
| 08/02/2025 |
R19.01 |
R22.83 |
R18.40 |
R 2.52 |
| 15/02/2025 |
R19.25 |
R22.09 |
R18.35 |
R 2.52 |
| 22/02/2025 |
R19.20 |
R23.19 |
R18.35 |
R 2.53 |
| 01/03/2025 |
R19.38 |
R23.50 |
R18.68 |
R 2.56 |
| 08/03/2025 |
R19.73 |
R23.53 |
R18.22 |
R 2.52 |
| 15/03/2025 |
R19.78 |
R23.49 |
R18.16 |
R 2.51 |
| 22/03/2025 |
R19.71 |
R23.54 |
R18.22 |
R 2.51 |
| 29/03/2025 |
R19.88 |
R23.77 |
R18.34 |
R 2.52 |
| 05/04/2025 |
R20.93 |
R24.73 |
R19.10 |
R 2.62 |
2. Botswana Pula
Source: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
CNY ¥ |
| 04/01/2025 |
14.39 |
17.33 |
13.95 |
1.90 |
| 11/01/2025 |
14.25 |
16.98 |
13.91 |
1.89 |
| 18/01/2025 |
14.39 |
17.05 |
14.00 |
1.91 |
| 25/01/2025 |
14.50 |
17.24 |
13.82 |
1.90 |
| 01/02/2025 |
14.41 |
17.23 |
13.90 |
1.91 |
| 08/02/2025 |
14.50 |
17.42 |
14.04 |
1.92 |
| 15/02/2025 |
14.51 |
17.41 |
13.83 |
1.90 |
| 22/02/2025 |
14.40 |
17.40 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 01/03/2025 |
14.29 |
17.32 |
13.77 |
1.89 |
| 08/03/2025 |
14.78 |
17.63 |
13.65 |
1.88 |
| 15/03/2025 |
14.83 |
17.62 |
13.62 |
1.88 |
| 22/03/2025 |
14.74 |
17.60 |
13.62 |
1.87 |
| 29/03/2025 |
14.71 |
17.57 |
13.58 |
1.87 |
| 05/04/2025 |
15.17 |
17.92 |
13.85 |
1.90 |
3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)
Source: https://www.rbm.mw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
1816.63 |
2191.92 |
1717.02 |
94.59 |
| 11/01/2025 |
1819.29 |
2171.58 |
1717.02 |
93.34 |
| 18/01/2025 |
1820.17 |
2159.73 |
1717.02 |
94.18 |
| 25/01/2025 |
1848.47 |
2193.86 |
1717.02 |
96.09 |
| 01/02/2025 |
1837.33 |
2196.51 |
1717.02 |
95.29 |
| 08/02/2025 |
1835.03 |
2197.40 |
1717.02 |
95.78 |
| 15/02/2025 |
1848.82 |
2119.86 |
1717.02 |
95.70 |
| 22/02/2025 |
1854.83 |
2238.78 |
1717.02 |
96.30 |
| 01/03/2025 |
1836.44 |
2224.46 |
1717.02 |
95.68 |
| 08/03/2025 |
1912.31 |
2278.93 |
1717.02 |
97.50 |
| 15/03/2025 |
1917.62 |
2286.82 |
1717.02 |
96.82 |
| 22/03/2025 |
1916.03 |
2286.89 |
1717.02 |
97.27 |
| 29/03/2025 |
1907.36 |
2287.95 |
1717.02 |
97.04 |
| 05/04/2025 |
1956.35 |
2309.52 |
1717.02 |
93.40 |
4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)
Source: https://www.boz.zm/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US $ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
28.75 |
34.65 |
27.93 |
1.48 |
| 11/01/2025 |
28.66 |
34.25 |
27.81 |
1.46 |
| 18/01/2025 |
28.64 |
33.90 |
27.82 |
1.48 |
| 25/01/2025 |
29.15 |
34.54 |
27.84 |
1.51 |
| 01/02/2025 |
29.09 |
34.80 |
28.01 |
1.30 |
| 08/02/2025 |
29.13 |
34.94 |
28.07 |
1.52 |
| 15/02/2025 |
29.47 |
35.42 |
28.13 |
1.53 |
| 22/02/2025 |
29.58 |
35.73 |
28.26 |
1.53 |
| 01/03/2025 |
29.67 |
35.91 |
28.51 |
1.54 |
| 08/03/2025 |
31.07 |
36.95 |
28.59 |
1.57 |
| 15/03/2025 |
31.17 |
37.02 |
28.61 |
1.57 |
| 22/03/2025 |
31.21 |
37.25 |
28.82 |
1.58 |
| 29/03/2025 |
30.80 |
36.95 |
28.55 |
1.57 |
| 05/04/2025 |
30.69 |
36.18 |
27.84 |
1.46 |
5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)
Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/
| |
Euro € |
GBP £ |
US$ |
ZAR |
| 04/01/2025 |
ZIG 26.52 |
ZIG 32.01 |
ZIG 25.82 |
ZIG 0.72 |
| 11/01/2025 |
ZIG 26.83 |
ZIG 32.03 |
ZIG 26.05 |
ZIG 0.72 |
| 18/01/2025 |
ZIG 27.03 |
ZIG 32.09 |
ZIG 26.26 |
ZIG 0.71 |
| 25/01/2025 |
ZIG 27.47 |
ZIG 32.58 |
ZIG 26.30 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 01/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.38 |
ZIG 32.74 |
ZIG 26.36 |
ZIG 0.70 |
| 08/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.40 |
ZIG 32.81 |
ZIG 26.40 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 15/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.62 |
ZIG 33.18 |
ZIG 26.43 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 22/02/2025 |
ZIG 27.60 |
ZIG 33.33 |
ZIG 26.46 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 01/03/2025 |
ZIG 27.59 |
ZIG 33.42 |
ZIG 26.56 |
ZIG 0.69 |
| 08/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.79 |
ZIG 34.32 |
ZIG 26.64 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 15/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.91 |
ZIG 34.51 |
ZIG 26.66 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 22/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.90 |
ZIG 34.52 |
ZIG 26.70 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 29/03/2025 |
ZIG 28.85 |
ZIG 34.60 |
ZIG 26.74 |
ZIG 0.68 |
| 05/04/2025 |
ZIG 29.68 |
ZIG 35.06 |
ZIG 26.78 |
ZIG 0.70 |
Note: For previous rates, see HERE
ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (03 April 2025) – The current average hide price remained R2.785/kg, the same as a week ago. The current price is 0.43% lower than the average price a month ago and was 19.7% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.75 Maximum price: R3.00. Please note: Our methodology weighs the prices we collect according to the number of hides they sell in a month. This is done to make it more representative of the prevailing market price. NB* Hide prices are determined by the average of the RMAA (Red Meat Abattoir Association) and independent companies. - Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist, Nkhensani Mashimbyi, agricultural economist, and Zama Sangweni, agricultural economist, ABSA group.
Note: For previous prices, see HERE
Have a look at these links
We invite businesses to send us links to websites, Facebook pages and the like which they feel would be of interest to others. The links below are from our database:
GWK, Douglas, N. Cape, SA. Agricultural cooperative.
HJ Uitrusters, Jan Kempdorp, N. Cape, SA. Men’s and women’s apparel.
THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!
Trading conditions – agents’ perspectives
Closure: Family footwear shop Goosie’s closed
Moody’s gives Pepkor stable rating ‘despite environment and concentration of stores in SA’
Training courses
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.10 No.15, April 8 2024
THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!
Retail: Planning for the restart
Covid-19: More DTIC notifications
Stock Exchange News Service (SENS): Rex Trueform - Trading statement
And now the good news...(there's always some)
READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.6 No.14, April 6, 2020
Contact us
News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za
Next newsletter: Monday 14 April, 2025. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 11 April.
SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za
Our website www.svmag.co.za
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