Exports have considerable effects on economic growth, employment and trade so it is crucial to understand the factors that are responsible for their variation. This study analyses the fundamental determinants of exports using annual South African data covering the period 1980 to 2006. It initially provides an overview of the South African export structure and export growth. A review of theoretical determinants is then specified. The study tests for stationarity and cointegration using the Johansen (1991, 1995) methodology. A vector error correction model is run to provide robust determinant variables on exports. The following variables which have been found to have a long run relationship with exports include: the domestic price of exports, real effective exchange rate, trade openness, foreign income and price of inputs (cost of production). The estimate of the speed of adjustment coefficient found in this study indicates that about 96% of the variation in exports from its equilibrium level is corrected within one year. The results that have emerged from this analysis corroborate the theoretical predictions and are also supported by previous researchers or studies.

Rapid economic growth has always been one of the goals of the South African government after 1994. Despite the contradicting views of the theorists, the country considered the global market as one of the gateways to accelerated economic growth. In the early 1990s South Africa opened up to foreign markets by removing trade barriers. However, the results of such actions were not entirely as expected. Different economists suggest other barriers that may be the reason behind lower levels of national output. This study examined the causal relationship between exports and economic growth in South Africa using annual data from 1970 to 2014. However, in order to achieve the main objective of this study, it was necessary to include other variables in the model as suggested by both theoretical and empirical literature. The choice of these variables was informed by an extensive review of literature on both exports and economic growth. The VECM and Granger Wild test has been utilised to capture the short run and long run dynamics of the model. The results from those tests do not approve of the Export-Led growth hypothesis and did not approve any sort relationship between exports and GDP in the short run. In the long run however, using the VECM, the study proved that exports have a positive impact on GDP. The results further suggested a negative long run relationship between consumption and economic growth. Furthermore; the results suggested that government expenditure can be detrimental to the economy in the long run. With regards to private investments, the results of this study suggest a positive relationship between investments and economic growth. Therefore, if South African government seeks to increase economic growth it needs to dedicate a considerable amount of resources in promoting local markets to expand South African exports, cut on government expenditure and attracting investment into the county.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study addresses two important research questions which are in essence motivated by the trade policy reform that took effect in the 1990s to reverse decades of inward industrialisation strategies towards outward industrialisation strategies to promote economic growth and development. This raised the expectation that a movement away from low-demand growth products towards commodities with stronger demand growth and buoyant price trends would be encouraged. The first central question that this study addresses is the extent to which South African agricultural exports are moving up the value chain relative to the agricultural exports of the other members of the Cairns Group. The second research question that the study addresses is to determine whether South Africa's movement up the value chain (value adding activities) in agricultural exports is more competitive than the other members of the Cairns Group. To adequately address the first research question data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) databases were used to examine their trade perspectives. The second research question was addressed by applying Relative Comparative Advantage (RTA) using data from the FAOSTAT 2002 to determine each country's competitive status in selected agro- food chains. The results show that South Africa managed to surpass all other members of the Cairns Group, except Chile, Philippines and Bolivia, whose export structures are highly dominated by high-value products relative to South Africa in terms of the movement up the value chain in agricultural exports. This is the case despite the fact that countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand and Uruguay have managed to increase their percentage export value of high-value agricultural products and that South Africa has experienced a decrease in the percentage export value of high-value products. The results also clearly show that the food chains in Costa Rica, Paraguay, Thailand and South Africa are generally marginally competitive, whilst the food chains in Canada, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia and Uruguay are only just marginally competitive as many of their RTA values are situated around zero. The food chains in Guatemala, Malaysia, New Zealand and Philippines are internationally uncompetitive. And the food chains in Argentina,Australia and Brazil are internationally competitive. The analysis also reveals that competitiveness decreases in all these countries when moving from primary to processed products in the agro-food chains which implies that value-adding opportunities are constrained. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie spreek twee belangrike navorsingvraagstukke aan wat in wese gemotiveer is deur die handelsbeleidshervormingsproses wat in die 1990s 'n aanvang geneem het. Dekades van intern-gerigte industrialisasiestrategieë is na ekstern-gerigte industrialisasiestrategieë omgeskakel om sodoende groei en ontwikkeling aan te moedig. Hierdie proses het die verwagting geskep dat 'n beweging weg van produkte met lae groei in vraag, na goedere met 'n sterker groei in vraag en veerkragtige prystendense sal aanmoedig. Die eerste sentrale probleem waarop in hierdie studie gefokus word is die mate waartoe Suid- Afrikaanse landbou-uitvoere in die waarde-ketting op beweeg het relatief tot die landbouuitvoere van die ander lede van die Cairns Groep. Die tweede vraag wat die narvorsig aanspreek is an vas te stelof Suid Afrika se waardeletting oktiwiteite in landbou uitvore meer kompeterend is as die van onder lede van die Cairns Groep. Om die eerste navorsingsprobleem voldoende aan te spreek, is data van die Voedsel en Landbou Organisasie, Handel en Industriële Beleidstrategieë en die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie gebruik. Hierdie organisasies se databasisse is gebruik om handelsperspektiewe te bepaal. Die tweede navorsingsprobleem is aangespreek deur die toepassing van die Relatiewe Vergelykende Voordeel (RVV) op die data bekom van die FAOSTAT 2002. Hierdeur is elke land se mededingende status in sekere geselekteerde agri-voedselkettings bepaal. Die resultate wys dat Suid Afrika daarin geslaag het om die ander lede van die Cairns Groep verby te steek, met die uitsondering van Chilli, die Filippyne en Bolivië, waar uitvoerstrukture gedomineer word deur hoë waarde produkte relatief tot Suid Afrika. Hierdie tendens is ten spyte daarvan dat lande soos Argentinië, Australië, Brasilië, Colombië, Costa Rica, Indonesië, New Zealand, Thailand en Uruguay daarin geslaag het om hul persentasie uitvoerwaarde van hoë waarde landbouprodukte op te stoot, en dat Suid Afrika, daarenteen, ervaar het dat die uitvoere van hierdie produkte afgeneem het. Die resultate toon duidelik dat die voedselkettings in Costa Rica, Paraguay, Thailand en Suid-Afrika oor die algemeen marginaal kompeterend is, terwyl die voedselkettings in Kanada, Chile, Colombië, Indonesië en Uruguay tot 'n mindere mate marginaal kompeterend is aangesien hul RVV-waardes rondom nul lê. Die voedselkettings in Guatemala, Maleisië, Nieu-Seeland en die Filippyne is internasionaal nie-kompeterend, met die voedselkettings in Argentinië, Australië en Brasilië wel internasionaal kompeterend. Die analise wys ook dat die mededingendheid afneem in al hierdie lande wanneer hulle van primêre na geprosesseerde produkte beweeg in agri-voedselkettings, dit impliseer dat waarde toevoeging geleenthede tot produkte beperk is.

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2017 / This paper provides an empirical analysis of the effect of commodity price volatility on the volatility of the South African exchange rate and subsequently the returns on the equity of commodity producing firms listed on the JSE. GARCH and VAR models evaluate South African exchange rate and stock market data between the years 1995 and 2015. Results show that there exists a spill over and bidirectional relationships between the equity returns volatility and the volatility of the exchange rate. Findings also indicated that international commodity price shocks transmitted into the South African Rand. / MT2017

South Africa, in common with many other developing countries, embarked on an import substitution policy to promote development and industrialisation. Although initially successful, it was recognised in the late 1960s that the scope for further import substitution was limited and that alternative development strategies should be embarked upon. Unfortunately, the years of import substitution resulted in high levels of protection and consequently an anti-export bias. In 1972, under the leadership of Dr Reynders, a commission found that South Africa should embark upon a policy of export promotion. In 1980 a new form of export incentive was introduced, viz. Category A and B. Category A incentives were aimed at neutralising the effects of import substitution and compensated exporters fifty per cent of the duty payable on inputs, regardless of whether the inputs were imported or not. Category B incentives compensated exporters for the consequences of cost increasing on non-intermediate inputs because of the import substitution policy and was calculated on the value added. Exporters also enjoyed various grants and tax breaks to enable them to undertake export marketing. The schemes were unsuccessful and were replace by a General Export Incentive Scheme (GElS) in 1990. The main aim of the GElS was to encourage the export of manufactured products. With the means of an econometric model, the success of GElS is evaluated on a sectoral basis. GElS brought with it rent seeking, corruption, lobbying, and threats of countervailing duties. In addition to the enormous costs, exceeding R6 billion, there were other bureaucratic costs. In general, the GElS was not successful. The sectors that did benefit from receiving GElS benefits were the tobacco industry, footwear, furniture, metal products, and electrical machinery. In most cases, exporters would have exported with or without GElS. GElS was simply a windfall. Policy-makers failed to recognise the dynamics of exporting. GElS contributed neither to additional exports, export capacity nor to a sustained competitive advantage. import substitution policy to promote development and industrialisation. Although initially successful, it was recognised in the late 1960s that the scope for further import substitution was limited and that alternative development strategies should be embarked upon. Unfortunately, the years of import substitution resulted in high levels of protection and consequently an anti-export bias. In 1972, under the leadership of Dr Reynders, a commission found that South Africa should embark upon a policy of export promotion. In 1980 a new form of export incentive was introduced, viz. Category A and B. Category A incentives were aim.ed at neutralising the effects of import substitution and compensated exporters fifty per cent of the duty payable on inputs, regardless of whether the inputs were imported or not. Category B incentives compensated exporters for the consequences of cost increasing on non-intermediate inputs because of the import substitution policy and was calculated on the value added. Exporters also enjoyed various grants and tax breaks to enable them to undertake export marketing. The schemes were unsuccessful and were replace by a General Export Incentive Scheme (GElS) in 1990. The main aim of the GElS was to encourage the export of manufactured products. With the means of an econometric model, the success of GElS is evaluated on a sectoral basis. GElS brought with it rent seeking, corruption, lobbying, and threats of countervailing duties. In addition to the enormous costs, exceeding R6 billion, there were other bureaucratic costs. In general, the GElS was not successful. The sectors that did benefit from receiving GElS benefits were the tobacco industry, footwear, furniture, metal products, and electrical machinery. In most cases, exporters would have exported with or without GElS. GElS was simply a windfall. Policy-makers failed to recognise the dynamics of exporting. GElS contributed neither to additional exports, export capacity nor to a sustained competitive advantage. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, 1996.

The purpose of this study is to establish the impact of real exchange rate on exports in South Africa. In conducting the empirical test, the Vector Error Correction Model and annual time series data between 1973 and 2014 has been utilised. In the model, exports are the dependent variable and the real effective exchange rates, gross domestic product, mining, agricultural, foreign direct investments, and merchandise export prices are explanatory variables. A significant inverse relationship between real effective exchange rates and exports was confirmed in line with economic theory. Except for the Gross Domestic Product which exhibited a positive relationship, all other explanatory variables displayed an inverse relationship with exports. All other variables exhibited a significant impact except for Foreign Direct Investments. Based on the findings of this study, firm and practical policy recommendations are made including a moderated adjustment of monetary and fiscal policy to ensure competitiveness on the supply side.

Globalisation has changed the world economy. Manufacturers face vigorous competition in both local and export markets and need to have a genuine competitive advantage in order to prosper and grow. South Africa is still predominantly a resource based exporter with high aspirations of developing trade in value-added products. The government has recognised the importance of developing national manufacturing capacity as a means of increasing employment and reducing poverty. To this end the government provides substantial support to both the manufacturing and exporting sectors. The government also negotiated the Southern African Development Community (SADC) agreement which leverages some powerful competitive advantages for South African manufacturers exporting into the region. However, since ratification of the SADC agreement in 2008 there has been no perceptible increase in export activity to the region when compared to other markets. This research study was conducted to determine why this is the case and what factors are influencing the process. A literature review was undertaken encapsulating three principal themes; namely, export barriers, the role of the South African government in the export process, and the SADC agreement. Based on the findings of the literature review a research questionnaire was constructed and subsequently completed by a cross section of manufacturers in the Eastern Cape. It was found that export barriers do not pose a major obstacle to trade into the SADC region. The role the government plays was less conclusive with some successes noted, but on the whole the impact is not meaningfully positive. On the other hand the SADC agreement and the dynamics prevailing in the free trade area do have a positive impact on exports to the region. The level of awareness with regard to the government support initiatives was disappointingly low. The government offers a number of helpful support initiatives which are unknown to more than half the response group. The awareness level of the dynamics prevailing in the SADC region are an improvement but are still surprisingly low. South African manufacturers enjoy significant competitive advantages within the region that are going largely unnoticed. It is recommended, inter alia, that the government consolidates some of its support initiatives, as well as provides a dedicated SADC support desk. Management should adopt an export culture and re-evaluate the opportunity to trade with the SADC region.

Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Deregulation of the South African (SA) fruit export industry in 1997 has caused fragmentation in the supply chain, leading to significant inefficiencies. This sub-optimal performance of the supply chain has made it difficult to respond to increasingly stringent market requirements. One of the biggest challenges is legal and trade related traceability requirements. Traceability of all fruit exported to the European Union will be regulated from 1 Jan 2005 and to the United States of America from 12 December 2003, affecting more than 80% of SA fruit exports. Trading partners are also starting to demand certain global standards for traceability purposes. The SA fruit export industry is not providing a sufficient level of traceability at supply chain level and cannot afford the risk of not having an effective traceability system, based on common procedures and standards, in case of a food safety incident. Apart from the need to meet traceability requirements, the inefficiencies in the SA supply chain; the cost pressure from legal and trade related traceability requirements; and the pressure on high volume commodities (due to the general oversupply of fruit world-wide), have created a need for additional efficiencies in the supply chain. The consumer packaged goods industry has developed e-commerce building blocks based on global standards that offer automated traceability of fruit exports as well as significant benefits impacting the bottom line by ten to fifteen percent for companies of all sizes. These building blocks are available to the SA fruit export industry and would enable the industry to have traceability in place, as well as provide significant efficiency benefits. Further, by being an early adopter of these building blocks, the industry would be able to achieve a strategic advantage over its southern hemisphere competitors. Enough cohesion, willing participants and supportive thinking seem to exist to create the critical mass for the implementation of such an automated traceability system. The study concludes that automated traceability is feasible for the SA fruit export industry. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deregulering van die Suid-Afrikaanse vrugte uitvoer industrie in 1997 het fragmentering van inligting en standaarde veroorsaak wat gelei het tot ondoeltreffendheid in die verskaffingsketting. Die onderprestering van die verskaffingsketting maak dit moeilik vir die industrie om te reageer op die toenemende vereistes van uitvoer markte. Een van die grootste uitdagings is wetgewende en handelsverwante vereistes van naspoorbaarheid. Naspoorbaarheid van alle vrugte uitvoere na die Europese Unie en die Verenigde State van Amerika sal onderskeidelik vanaf 1 Januarie 2005 en 16 Desember 2003 gereguleer word, wat meer as 80% van alle SA uitvoere sal beïnvloed. Handelsvennote begin ook om sekere globale standaarde te vereis. Die SA vrugte uitvoer industrie voorsien nie 'n genoegsame vlak van naspoorbaarheid in die verskaffingsketting nie en kan nie die risiko bekostig om, in die geval van 'n voedselveiligheidsvoorval, nie 'n effektiewe naspoorbaarheidstelsel (gebaseer op gemeenskaplike prosedures en standaarde) in plek te hê nie. Afgesien van die behoefte om naspoorbaarheidvereistes na te kom, het die ondoeltreffendheid in die SA vrugte uitvoerketting; die druk van wetgewende en handelsverwante naspoorbaarheidkostes; en die druk op hoë volume vrugte (as gevolg van die algemene ooraanbod van vrugte wêreldwyd); die behoefte laat ontstaan vir addisionele doeltreffendheid in die verskaffingsketting. Die verbruikers verpakkingsgoedere industrie het e-handel boustene ontwikkel gebaseer op globale standaarde wat ge-outomatiseerde naspoorbaarheid, asook potensiële doeltreffendheidsvoordele, van tien tot vyftien persent op winste, verseker vir maatskappy van alle groottes. Die boustene is beskikbaar vir die SA vrugte uitvoer industrie en sal die industrie in staat stelom naspoorbaarheidvereistes na te kom, asook aansienlik meer doeltreffendheid te verseker. Verder, 'n vroeë aanvaarding van die boustene, sal die industrie in staat stelom 'n strategiese voordeel te hê bo suidelike halfrond mededingers. Genoeg kohesie, gewillige deelnemers, en ondersteunende denke bleik beskikbaar te wees om die kritiese massa te bereik vir die implementering van só 'n ge-outomatiseerde naspoorbaarheidsisteem. Die gevolgtrekking van die studie IS dat die SA vrugte uitvoer industrie vatbaar is vir ge-outomatiseerde naspoorbaarheid.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The sharp decline in the brandy market since 1997, together with a world wide focus towards the production and marketing of quality wines and brand building, as driven by changing market preferences, served as a wake-up call to South African producers to adjust their strategy to accommodate this international trend. Given the stagnant nature of the domestic market for high price wines in South Africa, growth prospects through the investment in marketing and brand building of higher price wines is very limited in South Africa, and South African wine producers wishing to pursue growth is left with no other option but to embark on an overseas marketing initiative. A large amount of cellars wishing to start focusing on the marketing of their wines outside the borders of South Africa don't possess the knowledge and skills to tackle such an initiative. This study project aims to assist the prospective wine exporter in the process of initiating and executing a strategic export initiative. Specific focus is placed on the importance of the optimisation of the total value chain. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die skerp afname in die brandewyn mark sedert 1997, tesame met 'n wêreldwye fokus op die produksie en bemarking van kwaliteit wyne en die bou van handelsmerke, soos gedryf deur veranderde mark voorkeure, het gedien as bewusmaking vir Suid-Afrikaanse produsente om hul strategieë aan te pas om hierdie internasionale tendens te akkommodeer. Gegewe die stagnante karakter van die binnelandse mark vir hoë prys wyne in Suid-Afrika, is groei vooruitsigte deur die belegging in bemarking en die bou van handelsmerke van hoër prys wyne baie beperk in Suid-Afrika, en Suid- Afrikaanse wyn produsente wat groei wil nastreef, word gelaat met geen ander opsie as om 'n oorsese bemarkings inisiatief te onderneem nie. 'n Groot aantal kelders wat wil begin fokus op die bemarking van hul wyne buite die grense van Suid-Afrika beskik nie oor die kennis en vaardighede om so 'n inisiatief aan te pak nie. Hierdie studieprojek streef daarna om die voornemende wynuitvoerder behulpsaam te wees in die proses van inisiëring en uitvoering van 'n strategiese uitvoer inisiatief. Spesifieke fokus word geplaas op die belangrikheid van die optimalisering van die totale waardeketting.

From Ch. 1: The object of this study is to consider the utilisation of East London Harbour and its relative importance in the South African import and export trade to 1975. The principal harbours of the Republic of South Africa are Table Bay (Cape TOwn), Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth), Buffalo Harbour (East London) and Durban, and Walvis Bay in South West Africa. Small harbours suitable only for coastal shipping are Mossel Bay, Simonstown, Lamberts Bay, St. Helena Bay and Port Nolloth in the Republic and LUderitz in South West Africa. Two harbours, Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay are at present being built. The ports of the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa are owned by the Government, are constructed, controlled and operated by the South African Railways and Harbours Administration, under the direction of the Minister of Transport, and are managed by the General Manager, whose headquarters are in Johannesburg.