President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing growing pressure to halt sugar imports from Brazil, as industry leaders warn of severe damage to the domestic sector, IOL reported.
The SA Canegrowers has urged immediate action, saying a surge in imported sugar is undermining local producers and pushing milling major Tongaat Hulett closer to collapse. The company is currently facing possible liquidation, with the matter before a court in Durban.
According to data tracked by the industry body from South African Revenue Service, imports have risen sharply. In January 2026 alone, about 24,600 tonnes of refined sugar entered South Africa from countries including Brazil, India and Thailand—exceeding the total annual imports recorded in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
SA Canegrowers said the financial impact has been severe, with losses of more than R7,000 for every tonne of local sugar displaced by imports. For the 2025–26 season, this amounts to an estimated R1.5 billion hit to an industry that supports over a million livelihoods, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
Higgins Mdluli, chairman of the body, said the influx of imports has not resulted in lower prices for consumers. Instead, he alleged that traders are taking advantage of lower global prices and weak tariff protections to sell imported sugar at local market rates, affecting domestic jobs.
The situation is further complicated by the condition of Tongaat Hulett, the country’s only standalone sugar refinery, which produces the type of white sugar widely used by food and beverage companies. Industry leaders say this segment is now being flooded by imported refined sugar.
Mdluli warned that even if the company avoids liquidation, it will continue to face challenges if import duties remain ineffective.
Last week, Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau held discussions with stakeholders and the International Trade Administration Commission to review the situation. However, SA Canegrowers said recent data indicates that adjustments to import tariffs have yet to curb the rising inflow of sugar.
