S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 17, April 28 2026

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Middle East war

Oil stranglehold ‘placing sustained pressure on entire plastics value chain’

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Disruptions to the global polymer market, caused by “ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy markets, trade routes and supply chains, have resulted in sharp increases in feedstock costs and unprecedented volatility in polymer pricing worldwide”, according to a press release on 20 April by Plastics SA, a body representing the diverse parts of the plastics industry.
“As polymers are derived primarily from petroleum-based products such as natural gas and naphtha, any instability in these upstream markets has a direct and immediate effect on the plastics industry,” said Anton Hanekom, Executive Director of Plastics SA.
     “Reported increases between March and April 2026 range from 30% and continue to increase as time progresses. When combined with substantial increases in freight costs, the total impact on landed prices in South Africa has been significantly higher.
     “Compounding this situation are global supply constraints. Production slowdowns in key regions, particularly Southeast Asia, where manufacturers rely heavily on Middle Eastern feedstocks, have intensified shortages. Local production is constrained by ageing infrastructure and operational challenges, which are now exacerbated by limited feedstock availability.
     “The pace and scale of these increases are unlike anything the industry has experienced in recent years. What we are seeing is not simply a pricing cycle, but a convergence of global risks that is placing sustained pressure across the entire plastics value chain.”
     Plastics SA is encouraging the industry to make increased use of “South Africa’s well-established recycling sector”.

In footwear terms, all plastics affected

Rowan Tilbury, EVA Industries
Durban, KZN, SA – The Middle East conflict has thrown the proverbial “cat amongst the pigeons” for 2026.  It some respects it feels like a replay of the Covid-19 shutdown period all over again! EVA, as a compliant local manufacturer, already competes against illegal Imports, Chinese imports (either directly to SA Retailers or into the second economy), and the ever growing direct to consumer online platforms such as Shein, Temu and co.
     Our business remains under constant selling price pressure so any changes in cost prices, overheads, labour and so on have a direct impact on our ability to stay selling price competitive. With the onset of the war, we have seen pricing increases on local and international supply varying from 5% to 60%, the reasons largely based on the unhinged oil price and anything linked to oil such as shipping and transport. As a result, we have had to re-cost our products, trying to absorb, wherever possible, some of these increases, but unfortunately have had to pass on some of the increase to our customers, who are also under immense pressure. It’s a challenging environment to be manufacturing in, but as a company we must adapt to the situation. We remain hopeful that the conflict will be resolved over the next several months, but fear that the recovery process will take years.

Matthew Hansen, Reunion Components
Durban, KZN, SA – While PU (polyurethane) sole moulding for footwear in South Africa is a slightly different process to that of PVC/TPR/TPU sole moulding in that it is a poured liquid process versus an injection moulded process, all these materials are currently negatively affected by the effects of the current war in the Middle East due to supply shortages resulting in increased costs.
     Polyurethane for footwear sole manufacture is possibly worse off given there is no local PU raw material manufacturer in South Africa anymore due to the reduced demand and so it all has to be imported. Therefore 100% of the imported PU is directly affected by increased freight costs and increased product pricing from our overseas material suppliers at the moment, added as well to a weaker exchange rate, while the conflict and uncertainty continue.
     Also, PU for soles doesn’t work with any recycled materials in any significant cost-effective form and so we don’t really have the option of trying to reduce input costs in that way.
     So, our hope is for a quick resolution in the Middle East conflict so that things normalise as quickly as possible, as it is very difficult for us to pass on large increases to our customers and still remain unaffected by a potential drop in sales.

Richard Black, Elco Plastics
Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – While PVC remains less directly exposed to ethylene and naphtha pricing than some other polymers, recent market developments have nonetheless driven significant increases in PVC resin pricing. Import prices, at peak levels, have risen by as much as 80% relative to pre-war benchmarks.
     In parallel, key additives, particularly plasticisers, have experienced sharp cost escalation due to upstream pressures and supply constraints. Given the material contribution of these inputs in many formulations, especially flexible PVC, the combined impact on total compound cost is considerable.

Trading Conditions

Formal recovery ‘slow’, upper end standards slipping

East London, E. Cape, SA – Economic circumstances are “a little unpredictable”, managing member of men’s apparel retailer Chess International, Suresh Jeewa, said last week. “Whether it’s something Trump does or our president says, you don’t know what difficulty might suddenly appear, so as a retailer you don’t know how much to buy.”
     Knowing what to buy is also an issue. “We’re at the upper end of the market. There aren’t any problems getting stock, but getting the right stock isn’t easy. For example, we’re going into winter, and no supplier has shown me a high-quality tracksuit.”
     On a recent visit to Durban, he was unimpressed by the Oceans Mall and Gateway, both in Umhlanga, and both rated as upmarket.
     “I couldn’t find a single customer in Oceans, and Gateway was more like a bazaar. On the clothing side, there’s nothing different and there’s a lot of Chinese merchandise in their product mixes.”
     Chess sells predominantly formal wear. “I say there is a slow recovery in formal. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is very long.”
     He wasn’t anticipating a sales upswing over the consecutive long weekends. “We used to open on Sundays, but we stopped that after covid. It wasn’t worth the extra costs.”

Export

B2B mission to Cameroon

SAFLEC is collaborating with the Western Cape tourism, trade and investment promotion agency Wesgro to promote an outward selling mission to Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 22-26 June 2026.  This is not an exhibition but an opportunity for B2B meetings with potential customers. Flights, accommodation, meals and visas are for participants’ accounts. Wesgro covers ground transport, B2B facilitation, translators and business seminars. For queries, contact Michael Gamwo | michael@wesgro.co.za

Arsutoria Durban one week workshop – applications open

Sarah Lissanne Govender, eThekwini Footwear and Leather Cluster Project Officer
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Arsutoria International Footwear & Leather Design Workshop, taking place in Durban from 25–29 May 2026—set to be one of our most dynamic and impactful sessions yet.
     What makes this year especially exceptional is the inclusion of a distinguished global expert, bringing decades of experience across design, merchandising, branding, and export development. Having worked with leading international brands such as Levi’s, Bally, US Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Guess, and Zegna Footwear, he offers invaluable insight tailored to help South African manufacturers compete and thrive on the global stage.
     This immersive, high-level workshop is designed for business owners, designers, production leads, and export-focused teams within the footwear, leather goods, and handbag sectors.
     Spaces are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to manufacturers in the targeted sectors. We strongly encourage early application to avoid disappointment.
     To secure your place, kindly complete the attached application form and submit it by 08 May 2026.
     Please note that while attendance at the workshop is offered at no cost, participants travelling from outside the province will be responsible for covering their own accommodation, travel (including flights), and any other related expenses.

They Said It

“Yeah, I know. I am VERY lucky, but then I have worked 50 years in this industry, more-or-less 7 days per week, more-or-less 10 hours per day, so I am catching up.” - The S&V African Leather correspondent who writes under the name Sam Setter, on why he recently completed a cruise ship tour taking in Tierra de Fuego and the Antarctic, and is currently somewhere much warmer, diving every day.

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

Nicola, Merchandiser, Cape Town, South Africa
Justin Fortuin, Colur Matcher, OPSA - Ostrich Product South Africa, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
Alan Matlala, Chief Sales Consultant, Kreemi Footwear, Johannesburg, South Africa
Emilie Oosthuizen, Director, Stride Footwear Pty (Ltd), Hermanus, South Africa

Birthdays this week

27/04/1964: Francois Strydom, formerly Bolton Footwear, Great Brak River, Dick Whittington Shoes, Pietermaritzburg, SA.
27/04/1968: Wyatt Brodie, left the industry, formerly Polo SA, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
29/04/1951: Elizabeth Loubser, retired, formerly Bolton Group, Great Brak River.
29/04/1980: Mark Fraser, Claw Boots International, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
30/04/1959: Gustav Franzsen, Vinaco, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
30/04/1964: Hayley Roberts (nee Caro), Fresh Footwear & Accessories, Durban, KZN, SA.
30/04/1985: Gert Bosch, Bosch Technical Services, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
01/05/1932: George Wilkens, emigrated, formerly Martin Johnson (closed), Pietermaritzburg, KZN, SA.
01/05/1961: Ronell Nieuwoudt, Suzi Q, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, SA.
01/05/1962: Tanya Vosloo, Greystone Trading 387, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
02/05/1956: Dave Robertson, emigrated, formerly Bushy Marketing, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
03/05/1949: Sam Wells, Malome Leather Technologies, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
03/05/1951: Ron Rink, retired, formerly Puma, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
03/05/1953: Alex Leith, left the industry, Durban, KZN, SA.
03/05/1964: Rafique Vahed, Fashion Extreme, Estcourt, KZN, SA.
03/05/1972: Afzal Deedat, Speed Zipper, Durban, KZN, SA.

In memoriam this week

30/04/2012: Ebrahim Aboo (b. 07/08/1948), MG Shoes (closed), Pietermaritzburg, KZN, 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

Chess International [Sejal Properties cc], East London, E. Cape, SA.
RR Chemicals cc, Edenvale, Gauteng, SA.
RR Chemicals cc W. Cape, Strand, W. Cape, SA.

3. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) (buying)

Source: https://www.rbm.mw/

4. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) (buying)

Source: https://www.boz.zm/

5. Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG)

Source: Source: https://www.rbz.co.zw/

Note: For previous rates, see HERE

ABSA Agri Trends: Hides & skins prices

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (24 April 2026) - The current average hide price remained R2.260/kg. The current price is 0.13% higher than the average price a month ago and was 19.5% lower than the average price a year ago. The range of prices reported was as follows: Minimum price: R2.00 Maximum price: R2.78. 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:

Jeilo Collections, Nairobi, Kenya. Bag manufacturer manufacturer
Jenebella Trading, Somerset West, W. Cape, SA. Women’s footwear and handbag retailer.

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR!

Why scrapping a 0,5% VAT increase could stop much higher price increases

Wage negotiations: Second rounds in May

Retirement: Dr Jaywant Irkhede, director of Footwear & Leather at the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC)

In case you missed it!: The April issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.17, April 29 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Crunch wage talks next Monday

Retail
- Vellie Boutique: Aggressive marketing and good service have kept us growing
- A.P. Jones: Looking after the suppliers who looked after us
- Academy Outfitters: You can't get around unemployment
- Wolman's Luggage: Advisories against travel to SA another blow
- Smart Shoes: Adapting to survive

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.17, April 26 2021

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All the past S&V Weekly Newsletters from January 2016 onwards are available in the newsletter archive.
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Contact us

News & Classifieds: Tony Dickson, +27 (0)31 209 7505, tony@svmag.co.za

Next newsletter: Monday 04 May, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 30 April 2026.

SAFLIA enquiries: Tel 0800SAFLIA * Email info@saflia.co.za * Website http://www.saflia.co.za

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