BEEF TRADE PREFERENCES AND INTENSITIES IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION / BEESVLEISHANDELSVOORKEURE EN -INTENSITEITE IN DIE SUIDER-AFRIKAANSE DOWEANE UNIE

Abstract

Inter- and intra-industrial beef trade in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and between SACU and the rest of the world is investigated by calculating different coefficients. Concentration of imports to and exports from the SACU have increased over time. Changes in intra-regional trade are dominated by the EU. The high level of concentration and intra-regional trade is mainly a result of trade agreements such as Lomé. This has led to greater inequality with respect to beef trade. Beef producers in the SACU are vulnerable to changes in EU trade policy.

Trade relations between South Africa and Namibia are intense, but not between South Africa and Botswana. Botswana prefers to trade with the rest of the world and specifically the EU. Beef trade with the rest of the world is becoming more important for South Africa, and this must be disturbing to Namibian beef producers. Producers from Botswana and Namibia are very dependent on their market in the EU, which they obtained through the Lomé Convention. This situation is however not sustainable and clearly shows the impact of EU policies on the region.

Inter- en intra-industriële beesvleishdel in die Suider-Afrika Doane Unie (SADU) en tussen die SADU en die res van wêreld is ondemek deur die berekening van verskillende koeffisiënte. Konsentrasie van invoere na en uitvoere vanaf die SADU het oor tyd toegeneem. Veranderings in intra-industriële handel word deur die EU gedomineer. Die hoë vlak van konsentrasie en intra-industriële handel is grootliks die gevolg van handelsooreenkomste soos Lomé. Dit het gelei tot groter ongelykheid in beesvleishdel. Beesvleisprodusente in die SADU is kwesbaar vir veranderings in EU handelsbeleid.

Handelsverhoudinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Namibië is intensief, maar nie tussen Botswana en Suid-Afrika nie. Botswana verkies om hdel te dryf met die res van die wêreld, en meer spesifiek die EU. Beesvleishandel met die res van die wêreld raak toenemend belangriker vir Suid-Afrika en dit moet tot groot kommer vir Namibiese beesvleisprodusente wees. Produsente in Botswana en Namibië is afhanklik van hulle marksegment in die EU wat hulle verkry het deur middel van die Lomê Konvensie. Die situasie is egter nie volhoubaar nie en toon duidebk die impak van EU beleid op die streek.