JOHANNESBURG - The declining sugar price is leaving a bitter taste in local producers' mouths.
But it seems not everyone is sipping from the same straw.
The International Trade Administration Commission is set to review the sugar reference price.
It comes as a surge in cheap imports puts severe pressure on local producers.
The industry is split over the dollar-based reference price on sugar imports.
The SA Sugar Association wants prices raised from 680 dollars to 905 dollars per tonne.
It says this will protect local producers from cheap imports.
The Beverage Association meanwhile is pushing for it to be cut between 552 dollars and 650 dollars.
They say the current duties are hurting beverage makers, bottlers and consumers.
The industry is already under pressure, sugar output has fallen almost 25% over the past 20 years, and sugarcane numbers are down 60%.
Raw sugar futures are near a five-year low, trading at about 329 dollars per tonne.