ALL AGRI #Sugar Production

It is important to note that cheap imported sugar does not translate to cheaper sugar for retail consumers. Imported sugar ends up on retail shelves at a similar price to locally grown sugar, with inflated profits going to importers of offshore sugar.South Africa has seen a steady rise in sugar imports over the past year, despite the local sugar industry being able to fully supply the region’s domestic and commercial needs whilst leaving extra to export.

While this recovery in yield is welcome news, the industry’s economic outlook remains under serious threat due to delays in adjusting South Africa’s import tariff, the flood of cheap imports into the country and the looming 30% tariff from the United States on South African sugar exports. The delay in adjusting our own sugar import tariff to reflect current global realities is undermining the competitiveness of local producers.