South Africa’s agricultural sector faces rising uncertainty as conflict in the Middle East threatens trade flows, yet the region remains too important to ignore. Despite mounting risks linked to higher shipping costs, supply chain disruptions and energy market volatility, the Middle East continues to play a strategic role in the country’s long-term export ambitions. According ...

Livestock trade across the Horn of Africa is facing renewed pressure as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt exports to key Gulf markets. The sector, which is a major economic pillar for countries in the region, is now experiencing delays and uncertainty, with thousands of animals stranded at ports such as Berbera. The impact ...

South Africa’s agricultural sector is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East begin to ripple through global input markets, raising concerns about food price stability in 2026. According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, the sector had initially started the year on ...

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt more than just energy markets—it is now posing a growing risk to global food security, particularly in Africa, where millions depend on imported rice. Maritime Disruptions Hit Global Trade The conflict involving United States, Israel, and Iran has severely affected shipping routes around the ...

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is raising concerns about rising energy prices and their potential impact on global industries, including agriculture. According to Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), the biggest risk for South Africa’s agricultural sector is the increase in fuel and energy prices, which ...

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AI, IoT sensors, smart irrigation, and leveraging satellite imagery and drones are just some of the technologies set to boost agricultural digitalization in this region. April 2, 2025. The Middle East, covering almost 7.3 million km2 and with an estimated population of more than 500 million, ...

Given fragmented trade dynamics and South Africa’s pursuit to diversify exports, the Middle East emerges as a region of interest. The Economist article titled “The Gulf’s scramble for Africa is reshaping the continent” in March 2024 highlights increasing geopolitical ties and investments in infrastructure across African nations, particularly by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. ...

Paris Baguette’s store in Canary Wharf, London, is crowded with visitors, Nov. 26, 2024. Courtesy of SPC/Foreign divisions focus on localization By Ko Dong-hwan Food franchise group SPC announced on Friday that it has restructured its organization to exercise more effective control over its international markets, particularly for Paris Baguette, its bakery subsidiary currently undergoing ...