S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol. 12 No. 18, May 04 2026

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Trading Conditions / Middle East war

Rising costs ‘a concern’

Michelle van Emmenes, sales director, Paris Belts
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Prices from our suppliers are increasing rapidly and will have a negative effect on our manufacturing soon.  We await what the upcoming months are going to show as we might be outpriced by the rising cost.
     Airfreight has been surprisingly quick, and we have had no surprises from water shipments as yet, but we foresee that the rising transport cost will affect us soon.
     We produce belts for many high-end brands, and their units have increased 40-60% so far this year compared to last year this time, which indicates that that the market will rather pay more for quality and a brand.
     We don’t supply chain stores directly as it’s been impossible to come into their price as our business is 70% genuine leather and only 30% synthetic.  We are still optimistic about what this year will bring as sales have been generally good so far.

Silver lining tinged with grey?

Durban, KZN, SA – “There are multiple possible reasons why it’s been a very quiet April,” Nasron Footwear Manufacturers member Rodney Naidoo said last week, “but from a sales and turnover point of view, it’s been dreadful – and that’s from someone who’s normally positive.”
     He expects this month to be “significantly better”, starting with all 5-day weeks.
     Privately owned chains are the backbone of Nasron’s business. “Talking to three of them, one is positive – very positive – about a specific product and line, while the others are talking about pushing out deliveries. So, a silver lining, but by no means a flood of orders.”
     He said other, smaller retailers had become “extremely difficult to manage”.
     “We have a broad spectrum of customers, but in absolute numbers, it’s shrinking. The old legacy of an industry of honourable businessmen is gone. There are a couple of gems, but literally, a couple. For too many, 30/60-day payment terms become 60/90, and then 120, while we’re exhausting every avenue to pay OUR suppliers on 30 days. The chains are safer business.”
     He said the Middle East war was “definitely affecting raw material prices”, especially for soling materials – PU, PVC, and TPR – but there were also other, sometimes unexpected increases, “like our local courier charges, which have gone up 20% in a week because of the price of diesel”.

Arsutoria Workshop

Cape Town workshop will cover footwear as well as handbags and leather goods

The Arsutoria International Workshop at the Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on 01 and 02 June 2026 will cover footwear as well as handbags and leather goods.
     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. Applications must be submitted by 13 May.
     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.
     For further information, contact info@saflec.co.za.

Raw Materials

World cotton production to exceed consumption

International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
Washington, DC, USA (01 May 2026) — World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.
There are some key market drivers having an impact:

• Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could disrupt fertilizer supply chains, increasing input costs for producers
• Severe drought in the United States is affecting most cotton-growing areas, raising the likelihood of abandonment
• Rising prices for synthetic fibres may improve cotton’s competitiveness
• Favourable conditions in China are expected to support strong yields
• Production, Consumption, and Trade

China is expected to remain the world’s largest producer (nearly 7 million tonnes) and the leading consumer (accounting for 32% of global use).

Global exports will continue to be led by Brazil, followed by the United States and Australia. On the import side, Bangladesh is projected to remain the world’s largest importer at 1.8 million tonnes, followed by China, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Türkiye.
World cotton ending stocks for 2026/27 are projected to rise by 4% to 17.9 million tonnes, reflecting higher production and increased imports, particularly in China.
ICAC’s Price Projections
The Secretariat’s current Cotlook A price forecast for the 2025/26 season, based on current supply and demand estimates, ranges from 73 to 84 cents per pound, with a midpoint of 78 cents per pound. ICAC’s price projections are made by Ms Lorena Ruiz, ICAC Economist.

Wage Negotiations

Second rounds this month

Durban, KZN, SA – All 3 sectors tabled their initial proposals at the first rounds of negotiations last month, Ilhaam Ryneveld, general secretary of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA, said last week, and these proposals are currently being taken back to their respective members for consideration.
The second round of negotiations are scheduled as follows:
General Goods & Handbags: 5 & 6 May 2026
Footwear: 11 & 12 May 2026
Tanning: 28 & 29 May 2026

Closure

Jay’s Outfitters

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – With regret, we wish to inform you that we will be closing our last and current store at the end of June 2026. Thanks for all the valuable info you have provided. All the best. Yameen Mayet, Jay’s Outfitters (since 1984).

In case you missed it!

The April issue of S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine

CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ONLINE

S&V Footwear & Leather Goods Magazine Vol. 92 No. 04 April 2026

IN THIS ISSUE:

03 Upfront
- R-CTFL meeting: The gulf between retail and the rest hasn’t narrowed.

07 Shoe Technology
- Effects of AI in developing the relationship between foot and footwear, by Richard Kushlick.

11 Sportswear
- Anta, the Chinese brand taking on Nike and Adidas.

15 New Products
- Cavalli introduces comfort range.

17 Noticeboard
- The value of loyalty.

20 Statistics
- Preliminary trade statistics February 2026.



Advertisers in this Issue
Arena Trims (10), BBF Safety Group/Bova (OFC), East Asian Import & Export (19), eThekwini Leather (03), Freestyle Genuine Handcrafted Leather (02), Haesloop Agencies (14), iSync Solutions (07), Jumbo Footwear/Fabino (06), Kaytex Belts (08), Leather Finishing Products (16), Saddler Belts (05), SAFLEC (17), S&V Calendar (01), S&V Directory (18), Shotland Packaging (11).
 

They Said It

“Leather trousers are not for the fainthearted. They come with … baggage? Mythology, perhaps, is a gentler way of putting it. Either way, you know what I mean. Leather trousers can be suggestive of pelvic-thrusting rock frontmen. Noisy motorbikes. They hint at midlife crisis or teenage rebellion. They are a lot.” - An article in The Guardian on 29 April. To read the rest, go here.

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

Mariska Coetzee, Leo D Mar CC, South Africa
Maria Henry, Retired, ex Jordan / Bolton Footwear, Cape Town, South Africa

Birthdays this week

04/05/1940: Isaac James, retired, formerly Step High Shoe Boutique, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
04/05/1948: Martin Nefdt, agent, Port Elizabeth. E. Cape, SA.
04/05/1954: Norman Zoghby, Atlantic Protective Clothing, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
05/05/1963: Pradeep M Bhoola, Hardy's Outfitters, Pretoria, Gauteng, SA.
05/05/1967: Vernon Lotter, Comfy Feet Shoes, Jeffery’s Bay, E. Cape, SA.
06/05/1932: Yusuf Sayanvala, Westgate Wholesalers, Brits, N.W. Province, SA.
06/05/1979: Stelio Krystallidis, K-West/Fashion Trims, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
07/05/1947: Mike Rolfe, retired, formerly Barker Footwear, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
07/05/1955: Mark Tovey, retired, formerly Global Golf, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
07/05/1956: Mahomed Vahed, All Shoes & Luggage, Estcourt, KZN, SA.
07/05/????: Gerard Aarnikhof, formerly Angels Shoes, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/05/1950: David Boast, retired, formerly African Hide Trading, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
08/05/1956: Jeff Human, John Whittle Components, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.
08/05/1965: Theo Koutsoudis, Action Sports, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
09/05/1949: Mike Millar, retired, formerly MRM Agencies, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/05/1955: Jill Fraser, Claw Boot International, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
09/05/1960: Rodney Reynders, left the industry, Durban, KZN, SA.
09/05/1963: Don Tully, left the industry, formerly Groundcover Leather Company, Curry’s Post, KZN, SA.
09/05/????: Sarie de Wet, KKI Leather Marketing, Oudtshoorn, W. Cape, SA.
10/05/1950: Brian Da Costa, agent, Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
10/05/1971: Ashraf Kathrada, Catz, Cape Town, W. Cape, SA.

In memoriam this week

05/05/2001: Raj Kallichurum (b. 23/02/1954), Shoe Component Supplies, KwaDukuza, KZN, SA.
06/05/2016: Herbert Lohmeier (b. 25/11/1954), H. Lohmeier Men’s Outfitters, Swakopmund, Namibia.
06/05/2018: Tony Bradshaw (b. 22/06/1952), left the industry, formerly Jack & Jill (closed), Port Elizabeth, E. Cape, SA.
06/05/2022: André Otto (b. 17/05/1951), retired, formerly Bata Shoes/Futura Footwear, Pinetown, KZN, SA.
08/05/2010: Bob Hunter (b. 18/11/1938), footwear agent, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
08/05/2018: Peter Jönsson (b. 01/04/1967), formerly TFL SA and others, Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA.
10/05/2011: Albino Rodrigues De Oliveira (b. 09/01/1944), Andreoli Shoes/Giorgio Marelli/Sabrina Shoes (all closed), Durban.
10/05/1991: Martin Geyser (b. 29/01/1912), Eddels, 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.

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!

U.S. footwear industry urges Trump to exempt shoes from harmful tariffs

Running shoes continue to drive sales in Q1 despite overall footwear slowdown

Durban fair delayed

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.11 No.18, May 05 2025

THIS WEEK FIVE YEARS AGO!!

Vans to quit Bounty, open own subsidiary

'Retail improving, but still slow'

READ IT HERE - S&V Weekly Newsletter Vol.7 No.18, May 3 2021

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

All the past S&V Weekly Newsletters from January 2016 onwards are available in the newsletter archive.
VIEW THE ARCHIVE - CLICK HERE

Contact us

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

Next newsletter: Monday 11 May, 2026. Ad and editorial deadline Friday 08 May 2026.

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

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