R 9.3258
R 11.392
R 7.395
Agro
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Agro-processing
The agro-processing industry, like the agricultural sector, is a significant contributor to the Cacadu District economy. In 2008 this sector contributed an estimated R 832 million to the district economy or roughly 7% of the total CDM GDP. The importance of this sector is also born out by the number of people it employs which was estimated at 3 859 in 2007.
The agro-processing industry in Cacadu is dominated by the production of leather and leather-related goods. These leather products are mainly used in the export orientated automotive industry in Port Elizabeth but a considerable amount is also exported to markets in Italy and Asia. Collectively, the export of these leather products generated an estimated R 39 million in export earnings for the CDM in 2008.
The Cacadu District is also a leading processor of fruit particularly pineapple with a pineapple juice making plant located in the Ndlambe Local Municipality. There is also a juice making plant situated in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality which makes apple juice. There are also several other fruit processing facilities in the Sundays River Valley. The Camdeboo Local Municipality area is also renowned for the processing of Agave Americana into tequila for both domestic and international consumption.
The CDM also has a vibrant furniture and saw milling industry located primarily in the Kou-Kamma and Kouga Local Municipalities. The abundance of eucalyptus and pine trees in these areas provide sufficient raw materials to cater for the needs of both small and large scale furniture manufactures in the area.
Critical to the success of the agro-processing sector in any area is the access to suitable infrastructure. The Cacadu District Municipality is well positioned to exploit the top quality infrastructure available in the region including airports at Port Elizabeth and East London. In addition to these major airports; the district is home to a number of small airstrips. There are also two active harbours and the operational deep-water port at the Coega IDZ, located just outside of Port Elizabeth, in the neighbouring Metropolitan Municipality of Nelson Mandela Bay. These are well situated for export-based agro-processing.
The Eastern Cape produces approximately 30% of the South African milk output, with the Cacadu District Municipality suppling 20% of this output. Dairy processing involves activities beginning from production of raw milk to finishing with the production of processed dairy products.
The essential oils sector is charaterised by the extraction of volatile fragrance components from plants, where the plant oils are extracted through distillation at yields of 0.01-2%. The essential oils industry is suited to both the formal large scale farming operations and small scale operations within rural communities in need of economic upliftment.
Kaolin is a broad name given to a range of clay-compound substances made up of Kaolinite and several other minerals. As a compound, the composition of Kaolinite and other minerals and substances varies from sample to sample. Depending on its chemical composition it presents as white to red in colour and has a soft plastic nature.
The agro-processing industry in Cacadu is dominated by the production of leather and leather-related goods. These leather products are mainly used in the export orientated automotive industry in Port Elizabeth but a considerable amount is also exported to markets in Italy and Asia. Collectively, the export of these leather products generated an estimated R 39 million in export earnings for the CDM in 2008. Furthermore, CDM is well suited for the leather industry, as the Eastern Cape is home to the largest numbers of livestock.
Mohair growing or farming involves the farming of Angora goats that are sheared on a biannual basis. Angora goats produce a fibre that combines the warmth of wool but has the durability to be coloured similar to synthetic material. Colouring of the fibre results in a high reflectance value and clarity of colour. With the advent of synthetic fibres, adult mohair is not as widely used in the manufacturing of upholstery fabrics. Kid mohair due to its exceptional quality continues to be in high demand worldwide and used in the manufacturing of fashion garments.
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