SA canegrowers fear 30% tariff on sugar exports to the US will jeopardise industry

SA Canegrowers, which represents 24000 small scale farmers and 1 200 large-scale growers, has expressed deep concerns about a new 30% tariff on South African sugar exports to the United States, set to take effect on 1 August.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Industry leaders fear that this punitive tariff will render South African sugar uncompetitive in one of its most crucial markets and threaten the livelihoods of millions reliant on the sugar supply chain.

SA Canegrowers chairman Higgins Mdluli highlighted the urgency of the situation, insisting that the South African sugar industry poses no threat to the US market.

“It is important to stress that the South African sugar industry poses no threat to the US market, which relies on sugar from outside the US to meet local demand,” Mdluli said.

“The US has up until recently had a quota system in place to ensure that the US retains full control over both the volume and price of imported sugar.”