The import tariff war waged against European markets; or the effects of foreign viruses on domestic crop yield, it is clear that the market environment of South Africa's potato industry is currently bound by a single common denominator: that of the 'foreign'.
Insight Survey's latest Carbohydrate Landscape Report comprises extensive primary research (including in-depth interviews with leading industry experts) in order to ascertain and provide detailed insight into the current impact of the 'foreign' on domestic market dynamics.
The local industry has been waging a bitter war against foreign imports, after frozen French fry imports increased by 400%, severely affecting domestic fast-food and consumer markets. In the following example from our report, we trace the trend in importation and the associated effects of local Governmental intervention
What this equated to at the end of 2013 was a positive effect on local market prices due to reduced importation; however with the increase in imports in 2014, this has once again had a negative effect on local market prices and the entire value chain in general.
During one of our interviews with Potatoes SA they confirmed this, stating that "Frozen French fry imports increase the potential volatility of the South African potato market. The dumping of oversupply into the local market leads to unforeseen pressure on the marketing channels available for producers and other role players within the potato value chain".
