What impact do import tariffs have on the domestic market? The South African poultry experience

In November 2019, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) published the Poultry Master Plan. The Plan is South Africa’s latest effort to revive the poultry sector and outlines the specific actions that are needed to stimulate local demand, boost poultry sector exports, and protect the local industry. Whilst there are many tools available to the DTIC to improve the functioning of the sector, this blog focuses on the use of import tariffs. The blog considers the impact of an import tariff on the domestic market in respect of consumers, producers, and government.

Have changes to transfer duty rates impacted on home ownership?

Home ownership is a goal that most citizens strive for. However, the currently constrained economic environment means that most South Africans will have to wait to own a home. The government can play a role in facilitating this endeavor through a range of fiscal and monetary policy tools. For example, recent amendments to the rate of transfer duties on residential properties may impact on the ability to purchase/finance a home. The evidence, to date, is not particularly promising.

Bitcoin: digital insulation from sovereign risk?

It can be argued that Bitcoin has the potential to safeguard the value of your savings, depending on the relative state of each currency. The digital asset has been maturing for almost a decade and our analysis demonstrates that it appears to act as a safe haven in the face of adverse macroeconomic conditions, thus far.

Will imprisonment derail collusion or the competition authorities’ efforts?

Many countries across the globe (including BRICS countries) now have a competition enforcement regime in place. But why bother? Why is it so important to promote competition? Economics tells us that increased competition can lead to lower prices, increased quantities of goods and services being supplied, greater innovation, improved quality and a wider variety of choice for consumers. It also drives economic efficiency and dynamism, which can stimulate economic growth and job creation, thus contributing to broader policy goals.

So how successful have the South African Competition Authorities been in enforcing the Competition Act and in sending out the correct signal to current and would-be cartelists and abusive firms?

The impact of Netflix on Multichoice and the South African TV market

Netflix’s entry into the South African market has created much noise. What might this mean for competition in the South African pay-television market? This is an important question for South African consumers and incumbent rivals, but is also an interesting one for economists.