When you hear “exporter”, it no doubt conjures thoughts of large companies producing fruit, or wool, or vehicles for far-off markets. After all, these are some of the core exports of our province.

That being said, the idea of export being a game for industry giants is one we at Exporters Eastern Cape are trying to dispel. In fact, one of our mandates as an organisation is to make exporting more accessible to all companies that are interested in expanding to other markets.

Exports should also not be limited to those capable of delivering massive volumes of their products. It can still be lucrative for smaller businesses to explore export markets, and in doing so, enable their businesses to expand and deliver higher volumes over time.

Willem Coertzen of the Brickmakers Distilling Company will affirm this sentiment. His company began exporting gin to Namibia in April 2024, but they already have Botswana in their sights as their next market.  “Depending on your products and the red tape, it can be quite a lengthy process to become compliant and registered with the necessary bodies; however, you reap what you sow, and I do believe there is great untapped potential in the SADC countries,” says Willem.

The red tape should not be a deterrent for prospective exporters, even if the quality standards and requirements are not as clear-cut as for more established industries. For Wernich Cronje of Garden Route Foods, the journey to being export-ready was complex but worthwhile. Part of this company’s business, under the umbrella of East Cape Escargot, is farming with snails for various end products – primarily the high-end delicacy of escargot.

“It was quite a process to obtain the necessary certificates,” explains Wernich. “Our processing plant had to run for at least a year to establish protocols, and compliance was difficult in that applicable standards did not really exist in South Africa; the standards for snails apply to sea snails, and other standards for animal products apply to vertebrates, so eventually we worked with a veterinarian in George to write our own protocols for food safety. We completed audits in 2024 and received our certification, and now we are looking at potential export markets and partners.”

Wernich also credits the 2024 Exporter Development Programme for supporting this journey. “The export development course was crucial to me and I would recommend it to anyone. It helped so much in terms of understanding the necessary processes, and the knowledge within the exporter community is unbelievable. Information was always available if you needed it, and other exporters would open their doors to us and show us what is possible. You don’t need to be a multi-million rand company to be an exporter.”

The contribution of any exporter, large or small, is valuable to our economy and our region. This is why we honour not only established, high-volume exporters at our annual Exporter of the Year awards, but also medium and small exporters, and even emerging exporters who have recently expanded to other markets.

For any Eastern Cape companies who are considering the possibilities that lie abroad: we are ready to help you get there. Let’s talk exports.

By Quintin Levey, Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman

Published in The Herald, October 2025

GQEBERHA – Exporters, businesses in the export value chain, and service providers to the exporter industry in the Eastern Cape will soon discover who will be named this year’s Exporter of the Year.

This prestigious event celebrates excellence and innovation across various industries, fostering competitiveness and collaboration among local enterprises. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on 14 November 2025, at PE Tramways Building.

The Eastern Cape Exporters Chairman, Quintin Levey, highlighted the importance of the event, saying it provides Eastern Cape businesses with an opportunity to reflect on their improved efficiencies, economic resilience and growth.

“Exporters and their service providers are vital to driving the Eastern Cape’s economic growth. These awards not only honour their achievements but also instil a sense of pride among employees and within the broader business community,” he said.

Levey also noted that the event comes at a time when many businesses are navigating a particularly tough economic climate marked by rising costs, fluctuating markets, US tariffs, and global uncertainty.

“In such challenging times, the ability of businesses to remain agile and competitive is more critical than ever. Exporters and those within their value chains are not only helping to sustain jobs and attract investment but are also showcasing the resilience and innovation that define the Eastern Cape business community. These awards recognise that resilience and celebrate the remarkable contributions of businesses that continue to drive growth despite the odds,” he said.

This is the 31^st year that the event takes place. Businesses have entered several categories which include: SJM Flex Environmental Award; SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award; IDC Job Creation Award; Best Provider of Services to Exporters; Emerging Exporter Award; Best Exporter: Small Business; Best Exporter: Medium Enterprises; Best Exporter: Corporate Category; and Best Exporter: OEM. The Overall Exporter of the Year for 2025 will be chosen from these category winners.

This year the organisation added new categories such as the Community Chest Corporate Social Investment (CSI) award for large corporates and CSI awards for small and medium enterprises as well as the Youth Entrepreneur Exporter Award and Women-led Exporter Business Award.

Contact Suzanne Loubser at info@exportersec.co.za to book your table or seats.

In November, Exporters Eastern Cape will be hosting the Exporter of the Year Awards. Not only is this an important annual event for the organisation, but a significant event for member companies who are acknowledged by the Exporter of the Year Awards for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

This year, in addition to exciting new categories for youth and women-owned exporters, we are also introducing two new categories where exporters are acknowledged for their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives in the Eastern Cape.

The Community Chest CSI Award (Small & Medium Companies) is a category for exporters and service providers who have spent up to R1-million on CSI initiatives over the last financial year. The Community Chest CSI Award (Large companies) is a category for exporters and service providers who have spent over R1-million on CSI initiatives over the last financial year.

While we celebrate the financial and environmental sustainability successes of our exporters as part of their efforts to grow their triple bottom line, acknowledging people as part of this triad is important. Not only is the element of “people” about creating and sustaining jobs, but also about the greater context of people living in a community in which the exporters operate.

Companies are playing an increasingly important role in contributing to the upliftment of the communities where they are based, with over R12-billion spent on social initiatives in 2024 by South African corporates, despite strained economic conditions according to Trialogue’s latest statistics.

Sustained commitment to social development in challenging economic conditions are more important now than ever before, to assist in the upliftment of our local communities. Where basic needs and education remain priorities for CSI spend, with reputable partners in the non-profit sector, sustainable change can become a reality for the local communities in which our exporters operate.

CSI should not be a box-tick exercise, but corporates should carefully consider projects and partnerships that bring about real change in the communities where their employees live. Not only will this support foster goodwill and loyalty with their employees and local communities, but it can also bring about impactful and meaningful change for these communities.

In addition to positive publicity and a staff morale boost, which can be some of the added bonusses of supporting CSI initiatives, the benefits to corporates can also be monetary (tax rebates) and regulatory (BBBEE compliance). Best of all, the sense of reward when seeing a successful project implemented in your very own “backyard” provides the type of satisfaction that cannot be measured in rands and cents.

It is our sincere hope that these two new categories introduced in the Exporters Eastern Cape Exporter of the Year Awards will encourage exporters to continue investing in CSI initiatives in the region, inspire others to do good and to acknowledge projects and partners that bring about a positive change in a sustainable manner in the Eastern Cape.

By Quintin Levey, Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman

Book your table or ticket for the Exporter of the Year Awards at info@exportersec.co.za.