AGRICULTURE
SA soya beans to escape US-China trade spat
The global soya bean market is being rattled by the US-China trade war, but the outlook for South African consumers remains positive. Despite the possibility of price shocks, meat prices should be cushioned by the ability to substitute yellow maize in feed stock, said agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo. The tariff war was also unlikely to derail rapidly growing local production in the near to medium term. Last week the US imposed a 25% tariff on $34bn worth of Chinese goods, prompting an immediate response from China of a tariff on US goods worth an equal amount, including soya beans. Soya bean prices, which are set globally, have plummeted since May, and reached a 10-year low on Thursday, but the longer-term effect is less certain, with some analysts expecting that rising protectionism may ultimately push up prices in the longer term. Soya beans have been a target in China’s retaliation against US tariffs, with expectations that global supply could be disrupted as the US seeks ...
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