SA Canegrowers

28/08/2026

A much-needed step towards reducing the flood of sugar imports into South Africa. 🌱🇿🇦

SA Canegrowers welcomes Government’s adjustment of the Dollar-Based Reference Price (DBRP) from $680 to $785 per tonne – an important measure aimed at reducing sugar imports and giving locally produced sugar a fairer footing in our own market.

The need for this protection is clear.

Duty-paid sugar imports from January to June increased from just 1,619 tons in 2022 to 124,594 tons in 2026. Over the same period, local sugar sales have fallen by 35%, or around 188,000 tons.

We welcome Government’s response to the evidence presented by the industry. The real test now will be whether the adjustment delivers the meaningful reduction in imports that South Africa’s sugar industry urgently needs.

But protecting our local industry cannot rest on tariffs alone.

We also call on all Sugar Industry Master Plan signatories – including retailers and food and beverage manufacturers – to recommit to sourcing locally produced sugar.

🌾 South African growers need certainty, a fair market and the opportunity to compete.

👉 Read the full statement here: https://sacanegrowers.co.za/2026/08/28/sa-canegrowers-welcomes-dbrp-adjustment-but-says-more-is-needed-to-close-import-gap/

Media statement by SA Canegrowers August 28, 2026 SA Canegrowers welcomes the decision by the government to adjust the dollar-based reference price (DBRP) for […]

28/08/2026

The choice you make at the supermarket reaches far beyond the checkout.
When locally produced sugar is replaced on shelves, it's South African growers, farmworkers and rural communities who feel the impact most. Every local purchase helps protect livelihoods and keeps our sugar industry strong. 🌱🇿🇦

Choose local. Support local. Help protect our future.

Click the link to take the pledge: https://saveoursugar.org.za

✅ Only buy sugar that says: "produced in/ product of SA", "Origin: SA" or carries the Proudly SA logo.
❌ Avoid sugar that says: "packed in SA", "produced in/ product of another country" or has multiple countries of origin.

26/08/2026

🌱 Resilience, innovation and optimism are shaping the future of sugarcane farming in the Gledhow region.

In this harvest reflection, Guy Heenan, Chairperson of the Gledhow Local Grower Council and Kagiso Segole share insights from the 2025/26 season, the impact of weather and economic pressures and the encouraging progress being made through new technologies, improved seedcane practices and strong collaboration across the industry.

Despite ongoing challenges, growers continue to invest in the future with determination and confidence.

▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/spFghhinHm4?si=h0G2t0BeBV40EzKl

How did the 2025/26 sugarcane harvesting season unfold in Gledhow? ...

24/08/2026

🇿🇦 More than 82 000 South Africans have already pledged to support locally produced sugar - and together, they're making a difference.

Every pledge is a vote of confidence in:
🌾 South African sugarcane growers
👨‍🌾 Rural jobs and livelihoods
💚 The future of our local sugar industry

Let's keep growing the movement and help reach 100 000 supporters standing behind local sugar.

Click the link to take the pledge: https://saveoursugar.org.za

✅ Only buy sugar that says: "produced in/ product of SA", "Origin: SA" or carries the Proudly SA logo.
❌ Avoid sugar that says: "packed in SA", "produced in/ product of another country" or has multiple countries of origin.

Join us as we work to protect the livelihoods of the growers, workers and communities that depend on this industry. Let’s all commit to buying South African sugar, because there’s no place like Home Sweet Home.

21/08/2026

The latest Recoverable Value Price has been declared. For more details, click here: https://2ly.link/1wmnC

21/08/2026

From South African sugarcane fields to a can of homegrown innovation. 🌱⚡

Shesha Energy Drink a Energy Drink is made with high-quality sugarcane, showing how locally grown cane can create new opportunities beyond traditional sugar production. 🇿🇦

Innovation like this is an exciting example of diversification in action - adding value to our sugarcane industry while keeping local growers at the heart of the story. 💚

👉 Support local growers and local innovation.

From farm, to can, to your hands - ready to crack open. ⚡️

Every can of Shesha starts with farmers. 🌾💪
Real people, hand-harvesting high-quality sugarcane stalks, so you get energy in its most natural form.

Shop Shesha from Makro Marketplace and get delivery straight to your door - https://bit.ly/4eTkDe5 .

20/08/2026

🌱 Behind every teaspoon of sugar is a much bigger agricultural story.

A recent Farmer’s Weekly article explores the complex relationship between public health policy and the sustainability of South Africa’s sugar industry - highlighting the ripple effects that changes in sugar demand can have across growers, mills, jobs and rural communities. 🇿🇦

The article is an important reminder that conversations about sugar cannot be separated from the agricultural value chain and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.

Read the full article: https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-business/agribusinesses/reframing-sweetness-in-sas-agricultural-economy/?__cf_chl_tk=LflQJpnSs2EfP16V9NXx3Wj4RyHoMqFjgUoaU491adk-1787200255-1.0.1.1-M9TCqODoW9f75Bt_fM_3VyS7CHGbWkk1qxL7QBpG4WU

Priya Seetal, sugar and health policy manager at the South African Sugar Association (SASA), spoke with Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the complex intersection between public health policy and the sustainability of South Africa’s sugar industry.

19/08/2026

Every bag of local sugar tells a South African story. 💚 It’s a story of growers, farmworkers and rural communities working every day to keep our sugar industry strong.

By choosing locally produced sugar, you’re helping protect more than 1 million livelihoods across KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 🇿🇦 A simple choice at the shelf can make a meaningful difference to the people behind every harvest.

🌱 Show your support by taking the pledge to buy local sugar: https://saveoursugar.org.za

✅ Only buy sugar that says: “produced in/ product of SA”, “Origin: SA” or carries the Proudly SA logo.

❌ Avoid sugar that says: “packed in SA”, “produced in/ product of another country” or has multiple countries of origin.

Join us as we work to protect the livelihoods of the growers, workers and communities that depend on this industry. Let’s all commit to buying South African sugar, because there’s no place like Home Sweet Home.

17/08/2026

Farming sugarcane has never been without challenges, but for many growers, recent seasons have been among the toughest they've experienced.

From difficult weather conditions and declining cane quality to rising financial pressures, growers continue to adapt while working to secure the future of their farms and rural communities.

In this video, you'll hear directly from Eston growers and SA Canegrowers representatives about the realities on the ground, the support available, and why working together remains so important for the future of the industry.

▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/bBqLKiN38Wo?si=q2SXnPfnx7Y3Yxth

What did the 2025/26 sugarcane harvesting season look like on the g...

12/08/2026

Choosing local sugar is a small decision that makes a big difference. ❤️ Every bag of South African sugar you buy helps protect the people, communities and livelihoods that keep our sugar industry strong.

✅ Only buy sugar that says: “produced in/ product of SA”, “Origin: SA” or carries the Proudly SA logo.
❌ Avoid sugar that says: “packed in SA”, “produced in/ product of another country” or has multiple countries of origin.

👉 Take the pledge to support local sugar producers here: https://saveoursugar.org.za

💚 Together, we can help keep South Africa's sugar industry growing.

Join us as we work to protect the livelihoods of the growers, workers and communities that depend on this industry. Let’s all commit to buying South African sugar, because there’s no place like Home Sweet Home.