Dear Editor
After sustained pressure from the DA in Parliament, we welcome the gazetting of Block Exemption regulations for the sugar industry. These regulations will allow South African sugar growers, producers and users to collaborate on key issues, and provides welcome relief to an industry facing domestic and global headwinds.
The DA pushed for this exemption because it recognises the unique and urgent challenges facing the sugar sector: falling local demand, uncompetitive global prices, and the real threat of job losses in some of our most vulnerable rural economies.
By enabling structured cooperation under clear Competition Act safeguards, this measure can help stabilise the industry, protect over 65 000 jobs, and create new opportunities for diversification and transformation across the value chain.
This comes as the DA met with sugar industry representatives and sugarcane farmers today to hear their concerns first-hand.
Stakeholders emphasised the importance of restoring market confidence, securing offtake commitments from major buyers, and creating pathways for small-scale and historically disadvantaged producers to thrive.
The DA will continue to champion these priorities, ensuring that government support is matched by accountability and measurable outcomes.
To this end, the DA has written to the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Mzwandile Masina, requesting a detailed briefing from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition as well as from sugar industry representatives.
This will ensure that the committee is fully informed on the practical implementation of this block exemption and that the commitments made translate into tangible results for all role players in the sector.
The DA remains committed to working with industry, labour, and government to safeguard the future of our sugar industry, protect rural livelihoods, and drive inclusive economic growth.
Regards
Mlondi Mdluli MP