The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has completed its review of the tariff mechanism, further steps were required before the revised benchmark could be implemented, said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

The South African Sugar Association had sought an increase in the DBRP to $905 a ton from $680. The benchmark determines import duties when global sugar prices fall below the reference level, helping shield local producers from cheaper imports.

Illovo Sugar South Africa said delays were increasing uncertainty for an industry already facing high input costs and growing import competition. South Africa imported 213,322 tons of sugar from outside the Southern African Customs Union in the 2024/25 season, which Illovo estimated resulted in revenue losses of about R1 billion for growers and R500 million for millers.

SA Canegrowers chief executive Thomas Funke said duty-paid imports surged to 124,594 tons between January and June 2026 from 1,619 tons in the same period of 2022. The association estimated import displacement cost growers R733 million in 2025, while domestic sugar sales fell 35%, or about 188,000 tons, over three seasons.

Funke warned that prolonged delays could result in mill closures, job losses and growers leaving the industry.

The sector supports about 65,000 direct and 270,000 indirect jobs, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, according to Illovo.

Cosatu parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks supported stronger protection but said measures should also consider the impact of sugar prices on food and beverage manufacturers. He called for tougher action against illicit imports and the fraudulent repackaging of imported sugar as local produce.

Illovo has also called for interim safeguards and faster responses to import surges. The DTIC said it continued to work with stakeholders through the Sugar Master Plan, while details of the revised DBRP would be made public once it is gazetted.