SA Canegrowers Welcomes Sugar Tax Freeze but Warns of Deepening Industry Crisis
Farmers Magazine | 26.02.2026 18:08
The decision to keep the Health Promotion Levy, also known as the sugar tax, unchanged in the 2026 Budget has been cautiously welcomed by SA Canegrowers. While the absence of an increase offers short-term relief, industry leaders stress that the levy continues to place heavy pressure on sugarcane growers already operating in a fragile environment. Higgins Mdluli, chairman of SA Canegrowers, made it clear that the industry needs urgent and coordinated support rather than temporary pauses in policy changes. The sugar sector plays a critical role in sustaining rural economies across South Africa, supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods. Without decisive intervention, growers face mounting uncertainty as multiple challenges converge at once.
