The latest trade conditions survey from the SA Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Sacci) shows rising optimism about what lies ahead in 2025 among participating businesses.
Business Day reports that, according to Sacci, while only 35% of respondents reported favourable trade activity in December, optimism for the months ahead is rising, with 65% of survey respondents expecting trade conditions to improve over the next six months: up from 54% in October 2024.
The newspaper quotes independent economist Richard Downing as saying: “Of course, the festive season spirit could have played a part here, but there’s also a growing sense that the economy is beginning to recover.”
However, the survey acknowledges that South Africa’s poor economic performance at present is preventing trade from reaching its potential.
It identifies one major hurdle as supply-chain disruption caused by rail and sea transport deficiencies.
Sacci noted that the difference of 26 index points between present supply deliveries and expected deliveries reflected these logistical problems.
[Image: Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash]