Rooibos prices set to rise 15%

The price of rooibos tea would rise by 15 percent from next month because of supply constraints and growing demand, producer Rooibos Limited said yesterday. “Not only has the worldwide demand for rooibos increased, but the harvest in 2013 was not as big as initially projected,” Martin Bergh, the company managing director, said. “Although production will increase during 2014, the demand will still outweigh supply and the reserve situation is becoming alarmingly low.” Bergh said society was becoming more aware of the virtues of rooibos tea. – Sapa

Linefish stocks on path to recovery

Linefish stocks were starting to recover, conservation organisation WWF South Africa said yesterday. “The initial signs of recovery in some of South Africa’s key linefish stocks indicate that we are on the right track,” John Duncan, the WWF SA marine programme senior manager, said. The WWF Marine Report said the decision to cut linefish permits had contributed to the recovery. – Sapa