Government considers import quotas on deep-sea sugar
Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi told small-scale sugarcane growers in Mzinti, Mpumalanga, that government is also pursuing legislative changes to support bioethanol. These could include adjusting fuel blend requirements with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum.
Godlimpi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, spoke on Saturday. He said government is considering tighter import controls to help stabilise the domestic sugar industry.
He said a main concern is to guarantee enough sugarcane to meet possible bioethanol quotas without harming existing supply. He warned that legislative changes could push demand for sugar in fuel blends beyond what local growers can supply.
Godlimpi said milling capacity in areas such as Umfolozi and Zululand appears sufficient. He said an agreement on blend requirements could create significant business opportunities for producers.
He also said existing boundary rates on dollar-based reference prices limit the scope for further increases. He said the sector must cut energy costs and use water better to compete without raising prices.
Key facts
- Who
- Zuko Godlimpi (Deputy Minister, Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)); Department of Minerals and Petroleum (government department coordinating fuel blend requirements); RCL (sugar producer whose community holding approach was cited)
- What
- Speaking to small-scale sugarcane growers in Mzinti, Mpumalanga, on Saturday, dtic Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi said government is considering tighter import controls and quotas on deep-sea sugar imports and pursuing legislative amendments to support diversification into bioethanol, including adjusting fuel blend requirements with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum.
- When
- 31 October 2026
- Where
- Mzinti, Mpumalanga, Umfolozi
- Status
- Reported