Western Cape Business 2021

The 2021 edition of Western Cape Business is the 14th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape. The Western Cape has several investment and business opportunities. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, a special feature on thriving agricultural exports gives insight into the details of what fruits and wines go where. An interview with the Port Manager of the Port of Cape Town provides more understanding of the scale of the logistics operation that is a major port. Another special feature examines the City of Cape Town as a national headquarters for the thriving asset management sector. The cover picture reflects an exciting new find of gas condensate off the south-eastern coast, a potential game-changer for the Western Cape and South African economies. This new development is covered in the overview of the oil and gas sector.

SPECIAL FEATURE The

SPECIAL FEATURE The agricultural export basket is expanding The Western Cape’s latest agricultural export is a hi-tech machine. Credit: Aerobotics Of the 37 trade agreements facilitated in 2019/20 by Wesgro, the Western Cape’s tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, 25 were in agro-processing and agribusiness and a further three were in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The total value of these agreements was R3.08-billion and 973 jobs were added to the Western Cape economy. Examples included a deal in Germany for Cape Dried Fruit Packers (R350-million), in Ethiopia for Good Harvest Market (R700- million), in Ghana for M’hudi Wines (R4-million) and the R200- million contract that Southern Right Foods signed in Mozambique. The last-named company trades as Walker Bay Spice and also exports to Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Dubai, Ghana, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Qatar and the UK. Total South African agricultural exports reached R175-billion in 2019 with about 40% going to other African countries and 25% to Europe. Fresh fruit accounted for about R50-billion. Seven of the top 10 exports from the province are agricultural or agro-processed products. As Wesgro notes, the Western Cape is responsible for: • Almost half of South Africa’s agribusiness exports. • About 70% of South Africa’s beverages exports. • About 85% of South Africa’s fisheries exports. Berries are a growing subsector and two-thirds of production occurs in the Western Cape. More than 70% of the crop is exported and the major production companies are Berryworld South Africa, United Exports and Haygrove SA, an affiliate of UK-based Haygro. Berries thrive between George and Swellendam and sales of chippers have grown because blueberries have to be vigorously pruned. There is plenty of scope for exports to grow. Current annual exports are 13 500t compared to over 200 000t for table grapes and about 300 000t for apples (South African Berry Producers’ Association). Once producers pass muster with Chinese import authorities, volumes can be expected to grow. Another subsector to experience rapid export growth is oranges. As a source of vitamin C, oranges grew in popularity as the Covid-19 pandemic spread. South Africa WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2021 12

WECBOF makes it happen! The Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum (WECBOF) provides a platform for businesses to establish and maintain contact with fellow entrepreneurs; to have access to opportunities, information and training; and to have representation on a number of relevant forums of government and other associations focussed on growing and enhancing the commercial sector, with a specific focus on small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). WECBOF is widely recognised and respected as a powerful voice for business in the Western Cape; we are a provincial service organisation with our focus and attention firmly on the national and international business pulse. CALL US TODAY. +27 21 946 2519 office@wecbof.co.za www.wecbof.co.za www.facebook.com/wecbof/ @wecbof A powerful voice for business. Where entrepreneurs excel.