Voices to intervene in the Tongaat Hulett matter are growing louder.
The latest organisations expressing concern are the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) and the Black Agricultural Commodities Federation (BACF).
The SAFDA said it is certain of Tongaat’s liquidation, after studying announcements and communication released by the sugar giant.
Dr Siyabonga Madlala, Chairperson of SAFDA, said in a statement “we thought we dodged this bullet in 2022, when Tongaat entered business rescue instead of liquidation.”
He also said 60% of small-scale farmers are in the Tongaat catchment. These farmers delivered 1 million tons of sugarcane, valued over R845 million.
Madlala said SAFDA would meet with Government and industry leaders pertaining cheap sugar imports, of 163,000 tons at the end of December 2025.
BACF said the potential liquidation of Tongaat, would destabilize the sugar sector, especially milling operations.
“Sugarcane is a highly perishable crop that must be processed within a limited timeframe after harvesting.
Any disruption in milling capacity will result in substantial crop losses, leaving farmers unable to generate an income and potentially forcing many out of production entirely.”
Picture: Supplied