Automotive: In South Africa, total sales of new vehicles fell by 12.5% year-on-year to 36,000 units in October 2009, after falling by an annual 22.4% in the previous month. Vehicle exports dropped by 25.4% after plunging by 49.3% percent in September.
Energy: In Zambia, fuel shortages are having a negative effect on maize output, limiting access to seeds and other farming inputs in the southern parts of Zambia. Zambia National Union of Farmers (ZNFU) argued that maize production in 2009/10 season (May – April) is likely to fall short of the production level (1.9 million tonnes) in the previous season if acute shortage of fuel persists. The country has been suffering from fuel shortages after the shutdown of Zambia's sole Indeni oil refinery for maintenance.
