writes Leonard Neill
Best performer was purifying equipment
THE DIMINISHING value of the rand and the provisional implementation of the South Africa-European Union (EU) free-trade agreement saw South AfricaÕs exports to the EU jump 35% during the year 2000. At the same time imports from EU countries grew by 20%.
The figures show that the agreement is proving its worth says the European Commission in South Africa.
Agricultural exports to EU countries made up 10% of the figure, which was an increase of 7,3% over the previous year and brought in a total of R9 billion. Included in this was the increase of 9% (R120 million) in citrus fruit exports, with South Africa now exporting 27% of all citrus fruit entering the EU. Grape exports increased by 4%, with South Africa now sending 23% of grapes imported into the EU.
One of the most interesting figures disclosed in the report is that of bottled water, which grew ten-fold while fish products in all categories doubled their share of imports into the EU.
Apart from agricultural products, significant export increases were recorded for gold, platinum, coal and diamonds, which collectively made up 46% of South AfricaÕs exports to the EU.
Ferro-alloy, or specialised iron and steel products enjoyed the 25% reduction in import duties by increasing their own export figures by 28%, with earnings of R700 million and claiming 21% of all imports into the EU.
Tyre and paper products also experienced marked increases in exports with the former growing by
R70 million last year and paper products, which increased by 24%, earning an additional R95 million.
The best performer of all from South Africa, however, was purifying and filtering equipment which has grown by a staggering 74%, involving an additional R1,8 billion. South Africa now supplies 28% of all EU needs in this sector.
