Trade conditions have tightened, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Tuesday as it released the results of its Trade Conditions Survey for June 2010.

The Trade Activity Index (TAI), which reflects current trade conditions, dipped by three index points to 48 in June 2010 as the World Cup 2010 took centre stage.

"Although World Cup-related trade might have increased substantially, intermediary trade and other forms of trade have receded and contributed to the decline in the TAI."

Sacci said the build-up in trade activity witnessed in the May TAI was not followed through in June.

"Businesses had geared up sufficiently to meet additional demand from visitors and demand from visiting consumers did not exceed expectations."

The TAI was nonetheless still nine index points higher than in June 2009, Sacci said.

Reported by Business Report