<\/p>\n
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen<\/strong> has raised alarm over the deepening crisis in South Africa\u2019s sugar industry following the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett, warning that urgent intervention is needed to prevent the shutdown of key sugar mills ahead of the April crushing season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Minister said the current uncertainty poses a direct threat to growers, workers and rural economies dependent on the sugar value chain.<\/p>\n
According to the Department of Agriculture, industry stakeholders have indicated that unless the funding deadlock is resolved swiftly, sugar cane growers may be unable to deliver their crop \u2014 potentially forcing milling operations to halt entirely.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Steenhuisen stressed that the risk is immediate and not hypothetical.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a theoretical risk; it is an immediate economic threat to rural communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cIf the mills do not open, farmers cannot harvest, workers cannot earn an income, and entire local economies will stall.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister warned that failure to keep mills operational would have devastating consequences across the supply chain.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The crisis could affect:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Approximately 15,500 delivering growers<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n Between 35,000 and 40,000 livelihoods<\/strong> directly linked to mill operations and associated supply chains<\/p>\n
\n<\/li>\n
\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cThe longer the uncertainty persists, the greater the damage,\u201d Steenhuisen cautioned.<\/p>\n
Steenhuisen emphasised that agriculture functions under strict biological and seasonal deadlines, meaning delays in resolving financial or legal matters could result in irreversible production losses.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cThe crop cannot wait. Agricultural production works on biological timelines, not legal or financial ones,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cAn intervention that unlocks funding and restores operational certainty is urgently required to protect both production and jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister confirmed that the Department of Agriculture is engaging with relevant government departments and financial stakeholders to support a practical solution that preserves production capacity and prevents long-term damage to the sector.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n He reiterated that while government does not intend to interfere in commercial negotiations, it has a responsibility to ensure continuity in production.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cOur objective is not to intervene in commercial negotiations, but to ensure that a viable path forward exists so that growers can deliver cane, mills can operate, and workers can earn an income.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steenhuisen highlighted that the sugar industry remains a strategic contributor to rural livelihoods and national food value chains, warning that a collapse in milling operations would have far-reaching social and economic consequences beyond the farm gate.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cThe immediate priority must be keeping the season alive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The Ministry will continue monitoring developments closely and stands ready to facilitate further engagement aimed at safeguarding jobs, sustaining production and protecting rural communities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
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\nFunding Impasse Threatens April Crushing Season
<\/p>\n
\nThousands of Growers and Jobs at Stake
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nAgriculture Cannot Wait for Legal Timelines
<\/p>\n
\nGovernment Engaging Stakeholders to Prevent Collapse
<\/p>\n
\nSugar Industry Remains Strategic for Rural Economies
<\/p>\n