Sugar tariff benchmark rises to US$785, but industry says more is needed
South Africa has raised its sugar import benchmark from US$680 to US$785 a tonne, offering relief to local producers, but growers and Illovo Sugar warn it may not be enough to curb imports and protect jobs.
South Africa's Sugar Association (SASA) requested the benchmark be raised to US$905, but the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) found neither proposal adequately balanced support for local producers with downstream competitiveness, consumer interests, and South Africa's WTO commitments. The new US$785 benchmark, while welcomed by the industry, may still be too low to halt rising imports displacing locally produced sugar.
SA Canegrowers reported a 35% decline in local sugar sales and a R1.33 billion drop in grower proceeds. Illovo Sugar South Africa criticized the benchmark as insufficient to protect the industry. Organized labor welcomed the increase, acknowledging its importance but warning it won't solve all the sector's issues.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
