JOHANNESBURG - With cheap sugar imports weighing on South Africa's sugar industry, local producers could soon get some relief.
Government is expected to raise import duties to protect local growers.
South Africa is set to increase the benchmark price used to calculate sugar import duties, offering greater protection to local producers from cheap imports.
According to reports, the reference price will rise from $680 to $785 a tonne, a move welcomed by the South African Sugar Association.
The industry says low-cost imports, particularly from subsidised producers, have cost local growers billions of rand in lost revenue.
Producers say more support will be needed to boost the industry's competitiveness.