China's now four-month ban on South Africa's wool has cost growers in the country R734 million.
The National Wool Growers Association has said that the ban will have dire consequences for South Africa's wool industry, which produces clip worth R5 billion annually. China is by far South Africa's biggest wool trade partner, with between 70% to 80% of the country's clip destined for the country.
The ban comes just as the industry was recovering from an extended period of drought and a prolonged ban spells trouble for many commercial wool producers who may be unable to survive the ripple effects.
BISouthAfrica Great!! Maybe now we can make our own jerseys and stop giving China raw materials then buying clothes made from our own wool
BISouthAfrica So what has the Department of Trade and Industy and the Department of Agriculture done regarding this? Have they engaged with the Chinese authorities or supported our wool sector?