Warning signs such as softer imports and exports have fanned fears of falling demand for raw materials in the world's second largest economy and rocked commodity markets.
In line with its significant production capacity, South Africa is the major source of soft drink imports into the other countries in the region: 50% of regional imports came from South Africa in 2008 2010 (Table 2).
By 2008 2010, imports from outside the region into SADC countries constituted one-third of total soft drink imports [mainly from the EU, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (33)] and 40% of processed snack food imports [mainly from the EU, China, India, Brazil, and the UAE (33)] (Table 2).
From 1996 1998 to 2008 2010 soft drink imports from outside the region grew by almost 1,200%, and processed snack food imports by 750% (Figs. 3 and 4).
Longer run, look for soft U.S. imports as American consumers end their two-decades-old borrowing-and-spending spree that reduced their saving rate from 12% of aftertax income in the early 1980s to 1%, before people saved their tax rebates in July and August.
The latter includes soft peas imported from Chongqing.
If you want an extra jolt of starch, try the zha jiang mian laced with a handful of soft peas imported from Chongqing.
The volume of soft drink imports from South Africa into the other SADC countries rose sharply after the implementation of the Free Trade Area, with a doubling of volume imported between the period 1996 1998 and 2008 2010 (Fig. 3).
Companies that produce or import soft drinks with significant added sugar will have to pay one level of the tax for drinks containing at least 5g of sugar per 100ml and a higher rate for those with more than 8g per 100ml.
The two-tier sugar levy, which is due to take effect in April 2018, will force companies that produce or import soft drinks with significant added sugar to pay one rate for drinks containing at least 5g of sugar per 100ml and a higher rate for those with more than 8g per 100ml.
