US tariffs threaten livelihoods of farmers, warns agricultural sector

AGRICULTURAL associations believe that the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump coming into effect on Friday will have a huge impact on the industry and operations.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Francois Rossouw, the CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), on Thursday said the tariffs will have an immediate effect on several sectors, particularly citrus, grapes, wine, and nuts, which have been key export products under previously duty-free arrangements.

“For many family farmers, this will mean a sudden loss of competitiveness in one of our high-value markets. It’s not just about economics; it’s about stability. Many farmers plan their production cycles and investments years in advance, and overnight, these tariffs shift the playing field,” he said.

Rossouw added that the US currently accounted for around 4% of South Africa's agricultural export revenue, but the impact was more concentrated in certain high-value products.

He said while the total volumes may not seem large in national terms, for farmers and industries directly involved, this was a critical market.

“We expect export volumes to the US to decline significantly in the short term, especially for products that can-