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The Jeffreys Bay area known as the Kouga region has a diversified economy which has helped the area a lot during the downturn in the economy. Due to this diverse nature there always seems to be somebody doing well that stimulate the economy in the region. The general feeling in the Kouga region is that the economy is improving as a whole. We made a brief summary of the main pillars of the economy in the region
Fish
Commercial fishing - Fish like Hake is fished in this area.
Line fishing - Fish like kob, zebra, shad, leerie, grunter, roman, mussel cracker, steenbras, blue fish and kabeljouw can be caught here.
Also deeper in the warmer Mozambique current Blue and Black Marlin and Dorado can be found.
Calamari is exported - the species (Loligo Vulgaris) found only along the coast here are of the most sought after in the world.
Dairy - one of the largest milk producing areas in South Africa.
Timber is exported from Tsitsikamma and Thornhill (Longmore Forest).
Deciduous fruit in the Langkloof is also exported. One of the largest producing areas in the country of apples also pears, apricots and peaches.
Citrus from Patensie are exported and are renowned for their quality
Vegetables - Hankey and Patensie the vegetable basket of the Eastern Cape.
Sheep farming - the majority of sheep farming is in the Humansdorp north western area known as the Suurveld. Merino wool is exported. Dohne Merino are used for meat and wool and Mutton Merino more for meat .
Cattle farming are all around the Kouga area. Breeds are Afrikaner, Beefmaster, Bonsmara, Boran, Brahman,
Charolais, Dexter, Drakensberger, Hereford, Limousin. Simmentaler, Santa Gertruidis, Sussex, South Devon, Tuli
Mohair Farming is done more towards our neighbouring regions the Karoo. Mohair is also exported
Game farming are becoming bigger and bigger and springboks that is known as desert animals adapted to this area and are now grazing near the beaches.
Building industry - During boom times more than 500 houses are built yearly.
Property industry - People from all sectors invest in Jeffreys Bay properties. We have buyers from around the world.
Surf industry - World famous Super Tubes has been the catalyst which brought people from around the world to Jeffreys Bay. Subsequently Billabong, Quick Silver, Roxy and Rip Curl all have shops here including factory shops and concept stores.
Electricity Generating - A potentially new industry could be electricity generating with various projects underway to produce Wind Energy in the Kouga region. Solar and Marine electricity may be on the horizon for the visionary.
The motor industry - Although not in the region but only 70km away, the motor industry also stimulates the economy. With VW and Good Year situated in Uitenhage and GM (General Motors - Chevrolet, Isuzu, Dodge, Hummer), Ford engine factory, Continental Tyre, Dorbyl and Bosal factories situated in Port Elizabeth.
There are various related manufacturers that are contracted suppliers of components to these motor companies. Most other industries in the NMMM are geared towards the motor vehicle industry, providing parts such as wiring harnesses, catalytic converters, batteries and tyres to the vehicle manufacturers. Eveready, Coca Cola, Cadbury, Pilkington and Hella are also factories situated in Port Elizabeth.
Tourism is a big attraction to the area with the Big 5 plus dolphins and whales. Beautiful rivers, mountains, beaches and all the fauna and flora that goes with it. The area also have 5 of the 7 vegetation types in the world only desert and rain forest are not here, but everything from semi-arid to forests can be found here. Off course the world famous Super Tubes wave, on a good day there's nothing like it... African Perfection.
Protea farms - Our national flower the protea (sometimes also called sugar bushes) grows naturally amongst the fynbos. Together with the springbok antelope, the protea had been treated as a sometimes controversial national symbol in South Africa, both during and after apartheid. Proteas create jobs for thousands of farm-labourers who supply the flowers for the world's cut-flower industry. There are various species that are sold locally and exported.
Honeybush Tea - Honeybush Tea with its natural honey aroma and a taste similar to that of rooibos but a little sweeter. Honeybush tea is an herbal infusion and many health properties are associated with the regular consumption of the tea. It has very low tannin content and contains no caffeine. This tea is produced in the Kouga mountains where it grows naturally. It grows on the slopes of the mountains where the fynbos grows. The Langkloof and Elandsrivier are the main producing areas.
Wine farms. The first two wine farms have been established in the area. Cob Creek Wine Farm recently harvested its first crop and its first bottles of wine will be available before the end of the year.
A large majority of people in all the above mentioned industries have a holiday home - permanent home, commercial or industrial property in Jeffreys Bay.
Being so diversified there is always some of the industries that bloom, thus the economy in the area always gets a shot in the arm from at least one of them. One will have to go a long way to get such a diversified economy in one region which is the essence of its survival and growth. As they say, don't put all your eggs in one basket.