Agriculture in Western Cape 'grew in 2004-2015'

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The report shows that the West Coast and Cape Winelands districts have caught up with the traditional fast growing regional economies such as the Eden and Overberg districts. The West Coast and Overberg districts, for example, grew on average 3.9% between 2004 and 2015, while the Cape Town Metropolitan area grew on average 3.1% over the same period.

The agriculture sector recorded positive growth rates over this period in Cape Town, West Coast District and Central Karoo District, but contracted in the Cape Winelands District, Eden District and in the Overberg District.

"This remains a cause for concern as agriculture is a key sector and a major employer in the province," Meyer said. He said the Western Cape could not detach itself from the risks facing the global and national economy. "Some of these risks will have a greater impact on the Western Cape than the rest of SA,"

The growth outlook for the South African economy remains pessimistic. Economic growth in the Western Cape, SA's second wealthiest province, had slowed to 1.4% in 2015 from 2.1% in 2014, and would remain constrained over the short term, Meyer said.

However, the report shows that the trade surplus in the agri-processing sector will be maintained and may even expand, which bodes well for job creation in the Western Cape.

Meyer said looking ahead over the next five years, the finance, insurance, real estate and business services were expected to grow 3% on average across the province.

Source: Business Day