The Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan 2030 aims to address the challenges faced by the ailing sugar industry. Domestic sugar production in the country witnessed a downfall by 25 per cent in the last 20 years taking sugar output from 2.75 million tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes. The number of sugarcane farmers reduced by 60% and the jobs from sugar sector has been lowered by 45 per cent.
According to the media report, Trix Trikam, executive director, South African Sugar Association (SASA) said that several factors including the health promotion levy on the sugar, increasing volume of sugar from eSwatini, deep-sea imports and dwindling local markets resulted in the lower sugar output in the country.
The sugar industry lost revenue of about R1.2-billion per season since the introduction of the health promotion Levi in April 2018, he said.
“The master plan will not only address all the problems faced by sugar sector but will help in reviving the sugar industry,” he further added.
