South African consumers can avoid rising prices for frozen vegetables after the International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) recommended keeping the import duty at 10%, rejecting a request for a significant increase that could raise household expenses.
The recommendation was made following an application by local producer Nature’s Garden to raise the customs duty on frozen vegetables from 10% to 37% ad valorem. This application was initiated by former Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, on July 21, 2023.
Trade consultant Wongani Msiska noted in a note to XA Global Trade Advisors that despite ongoing difficulties in the domestic frozen vegetable industry, increasing the tariff would disproportionately affect consumers, especially low-income families, while providing only limited additional protection to local producers.
The Committee found that both domestic production and demand fell between 2018 and 2022, primarily due to energy supply constraints and power outages, rather than import competition. It was also noted that imports decreased during the review period, while local producers maintained their market share due to a price advantage over imported goods.
Consequently, ITAC recommended maintaining the current duty of 10%. Msiska added that ITAC will continue to monitor import trends, domestic production, and sector development to assess the need for any future tariff intervention.
This recommendation also comes amid economists monitoring forecasts that the expected El Niño could be one of the strongest since 1950, although the storm's impact may not negatively affect inflation.
Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop, citing the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, reported that forecasts indicate a 97% probability that the El Niño expected in the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027 will be one of the strongest since 1950. Bishop recalled that the most recent strong El Niño in South Africa, in 2015/16, led to the country's strongest drought in 35 years and pushed food price inflation to 18.4%.
However, Bishop warned that rising food prices do not automatically lead to a significant increase in overall inflation, as this depends on the categories of products affected. El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by unusual warming of surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, causing global temperature increases, as well as increased rainfall and flooding.
During the 2015/16 El Niño, grain price inflation accelerated from 4.7% year-on-year to 17.5%, and meat prices also contributed significantly to inflation, as both categories carry a relatively large weight in the consumer price index. In contrast, fish and seafood prices also rose sharply but barely impacted overall inflation, as this category accounts for only 0.43% of the CPI basket.
Bishop emphasized that 'food prices were not the main driver of the CPI inflation spike during the 2015/16 El Niño,' noting that food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed 3.4 percentage points to the overall inflation increase. Bishop also added that the share of food in the consumer basket has decreased over time, falling from 25.66% in 2006 to 18.23% due to changes in household spending patterns. Food inflation was 1.9% year-on-year in May, which is a significantly slower growth rate compared to several months prior; the next CPI report will be published next week.
The automotive industry brings several pieces of news: Renault may introduce the compact Bridger crossover to the Brazilian market, while Honda is auctioning its collection of classic models in New Zealand. Additionally, new developments from Aston Martin, Jensen Interceptor, and Porsche are being discussed.
Renault is considering releasing its small SUV, the Bridger, in Brazil. This vehicle, positioned as more compact than the Duster, has registered a patent with INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property). Although patent registration itself does not guarantee the model's arrival, it indicates such a possibility.
The Bridger was presented as a concept in March, and a production version is apparently expected in early 2027. Developed in India, this small SUV uses the RGMP Small platform, which is geared towards emerging markets, and previously debuted in the Renault Kardian. However, the Bridger's design resembles an SUV more than a crossover, thanks to its many straight lines, high hood, tailgate spare wheel, and two-tone paint with a glossy black roof.
The Bridger measures less than 4 meters long and has a trunk capacity of 400 liters, allowing it to fall into a special tax category in India. Despite the lack of official information, Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive mentioned in the press the possibility of commercializing the Bridger in Brazil, with production at the San José dos Pinhais (PR) plant, subject to approval by the company's Brazilian division.
If this happens, the most likely powertrain will be the 1.0 turbo TCe engine, already used in the Kardian, which produces 125 hp and 22.4 kgm of torque, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Furthermore, abroad, the Bridger will also be equipped with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, with hybrid and electric variants expected in the future.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is testing an exotic single-seater supercar on the Algarve track in Portugal. This open-top racer with a long wheelbase and elements reminiscent of Formula 1 racers (such as a rear wing and a protective cockpit halo) is generating significant interest. The company remains silent about the project, but an Instagram video revealed details: the engine sound is very similar to that of a naturally aspirated V12, which was recorded for the first time, as the car was previously shown without sound, suggesting it might be a fully electric hybrid.
Rumor has it that this mysterious Aston Martin could have power of at least 1200 hp, which does not seem fantastical given that the Valkyrie itself approaches this figure with its 1176 hp Cosworth hybrid engine. More specific information came from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, which reports that the car was ordered by billionaire Ken Griffin, an investment magnate, and is allegedly 10 seconds faster than a Formula 1 race car on the Algarve track.
Jensen Interceptor GTX
The Jensen Interceptor, a legendary grand tourer with American mechanics, is getting a successor—the Jensen Interceptor GTX. Unlike previous restomods that modernized the original Interceptor, the GTX is an entirely new model that inherits only the brand, name, philosophy, and silhouette of the grand tourer.
The GTX will be handcrafted at the manufacturer's headquarters in the UK, using an aluminum chassis and body, along with a supercharged V8 engine (the source and details of which are currently confidential). The brand's CEO, David Dorden, stated that initially, the Interceptor GTX will be intended exclusively for the track. This means the first units will be improved prototypes sold without road certification but suitable for racing. The car's release is planned before the end of the current year.
Honda New Zealand has decided to hold an auction of its Heritage Collection after the final closure of its local facility, which operated for 46 years. Nineteen classic models are up for bid, with proceeds going to local charities. Most cars are offered without a reserve price, with open bidding until the end of July.
Although valuable specimens such as the original NSX, S2000, and Integra Type R remain with the head office, the lot includes attractive models. The main star is a 2000 Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Civic Type R EK9, imported from Japan. This hot hatchback features classic Championship White paint, original red Recaro seats, and the legendary B16B engine, complemented by tuned intakes and exhaust. It has covered 154,000 km.
The catalog also includes two exclusive track days (2005 and 2022) and a rare manual Honda Jazz RS (Fit) equipped with Mugen parts. Among the time capsules is a 1995 Accord LXi with a 2.2 engine, manual transmission, and only 7,600 km mileage. The list also retains a 1989 Accord with 33,000 km and a 1988 City with 24,000 km.
In contrast to the perfectly preserved vehicles, Honda added a 1992 Civic hatchback with a 1.3 engine and manual transmission to the auction, which has 418,000 km—these kilometers were accumulated by one owner before the company took it for display in its museum as a testament to reliability.
While Porsche is considering discontinuing production of models like the Taycan and the successor to the 718, the 911 remains strong. Information has emerged about a potentially new modification of the 911 GT3 spotted at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. A distinctive feature of this version is an interesting ducktail rear spoiler, which references the classic 1970s Carrera RS 2.7.
Although Porsche has applied this element to the 991 generation Carrera GTS Club Coupe and the 992 Sport Classic generation, this is the first instance of it appearing on the GT3, which is traditionally track-focused and uses more aggressive aerodynamic components. Photos published by Road and Track do not appear to be unofficial and also show a central brake light on the element—a mandatory component according to GT3 category regulations. If confirmed, the ducktail could become an option for the 911 GT3 in the near future.
A meeting held in Jakarta this week has the potential to change how people and goods move between Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf. Indonesia's Minister of Transportation, Budi Purwanto, met with his Saudi counterpart, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, on Monday. The negotiations resulted in a broad plan covering aviation, maritime transport, rail transport, and personnel working in these sectors.
Although Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have cooperated on air routes since 1988, when an Air Transport Agreement was signed, officials from both countries believe that this long-standing partnership is ready for significant development beyond just aviation.
One specific outcome of the meeting was the increase in the list of airports permitted for international flights between the two states. Yogyakarta and Banda Aceh have now been added to the list, joining the existing network connecting Indonesian travelers with Saudi destinations.
Purwanto attributed this expansion to simple growing demand, as travel between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing, with a significant portion of this traffic related to religious needs, including pilgrims from Indonesia performing Umrah. The minister noted that one Indonesian carrier has already added additional regular flights to Jeddah and Medina starting in December 2025.
The minister emphasized that the expansion must be mutually beneficial: any increase in flight access must be accompanied by fair conditions for airlines on both sides, improved service standards, and consistent adherence to each country's aviation regulations, rather than unilateral agreements.
Within the aviation discussions, Indonesia also voiced a symbolic request: to gain Saudi Arabia's support in its application to join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The vote on this matter will take place at a special ICAO session in Montreal in November. Gaining a seat on the council would give Jakarta a stronger voice in shaping global aviation policy.
On the ground in Jakarta, the Saudi side also achieved a small operational success: Indonesia agreed to relocate Hajj and Umrah flight operations to Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. According to Purwanto, this should facilitate the pilgrimage journey for thousands of people passing through the airport annually.
What distinguishes this round of talks from routine aviation diplomacy is the extensive coverage of issues outside the airport. Indonesia supported the package of Memoranda of Understanding that Saudi Arabia wishes to develop concerning transport security investigations, maritime transport, and railways. Purwanto instructed the technical team to address the details without delay.
While rail and maritime cooperation may seem secondary compared to the high-profile aviation news, for Indonesia, an archipelagic state where inter-island transport and railway expansion are constant policy priorities, deeper involvement from Saudi Arabia in these sectors could open opportunities for investment and technical knowledge that the country currently lacks.
Al-Jasser's visit to Jakarta was not limited to Purwanto's office. He also met with Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Coordinator for Infrastructure and Regional Development, to discuss infrastructure projects and broader investment opportunities. Furthermore, he toured Jakarta's mass transit system, which Saudi officials called an opportunity to study urban transport models that could form the basis for the Kingdom's urban planning.
For his part, Yudhoyono stated that he expects the partnership to yield tangible results in aviation, shipping, railways, and logistics in the coming years.
These steps are not isolated. This momentum in transport follows an agreement reached in July between President Prabowo Subianto and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, where the leaders agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in several sectors, including transport.
The issue of human capital was also discussed. Purwanto raised the topic of formal labor exchange, internships, and employment of graduates from Indonesian transport academies in Saudi transport companies, as well as the exchange of faculty between the two countries' educational institutions. He pointed to the readiness of Indonesian graduates in aviation, maritime, rail, and land transport as a pool of talent that Saudi companies could utilize.
Although it remains unclear whether all of this will lead to signed agreements in the near future, much of what was achieved at Monday's meeting represents intentions rather than signed documents. Nevertheless, thanks to the expansion of airports, lobbying at ICAO, and the list of desired memorandums, both governments have expressed a desire to make this partnership much larger over the course of the year than it is today.
The Galaxy Watch 8 Bluetooth, 40mm model, is available for R$ 1,169 using Pix and the coupon RELOGIO100, valid exclusively in the Magazine Luiza app. This Samsung smartwatch has reached its lowest historical price, offering a significant discount of 61% off the original price of R$ 2,999.
Considered one of the best smartwatches of 2026, the Galaxy Watch 8 features a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED screen. This display offers brightness up to 3,000 nits, ensuring high-quality color and image reproduction even in very bright environments. The display protection is secured by Sapphire Crystal glass, which provides resistance against impacts and drops.
The main BioActive sensor, along with auxiliary sensors, allows monitoring of various physical activities, including running and cycling. Furthermore, the watch offers quality-of-life features such as electrocardiogram (ECG), sleep tracking, female health monitoring, and blood oxygen measurement.
In dangerous situations, the device can be useful by allowing calls to predefined contacts or emergency numbers like 190 (police) and 192 (ambulance), provided it is connected to a mobile phone, as it does not have its own cellular network. Technically, the Galaxy Watch 8 is equipped with the Exynos W1000 chip, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage, enabling the local installation and execution of applications.
Its 435 mAh battery supports one day of use and is compatible with 10W wireless charging, allowing for long periods of use between charges. The 40mm Armor aluminum body has IP68 and MIL-STD810H military certifications, guaranteeing resistance in extreme conditions and tolerance to 5 atmospheres of pressure (5 ATM), making it suitable for water sports, such as deep diving.
The 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 BT operates with Wear OS 6 and integrates Google solutions. It also features Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and multiband GPS connectivity, ensuring precise real-time location determination of the user.
