SA can't afford to accept harsh US tariffs without a fight: Citrus Growers' Association

JOHANNESBURG - The Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) said South Africa can’t afford to go down without a fight against the harsh tariffs on exports to the United States (US).

US President Donald Trump has made good on threats to implement reciprocal tariffs on countries he said have an unequal trade balance with the world’s leading economy.

Washington issued more than a dozen countries with letters confirming plans to go ahead with higher tariffs in August, including a 30% levy on South Africa.

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South African farming exports rose for a sixth consecutive year in 2024.

For the first quarter of 2025, South Africa's agricultural exports surpassed $3 billion, which translates to a 10% increase year-on-year.

The bump was handed to the industry by an expanded output of crops such as citrus, avocados and nuts.

With the higher tariffs on exports to the US looming, the window to revive the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) looks to be closing.

Boitshoko Ntshabele, the CEO of the CGA, said this is a reality the industry can't afford to accept.

“We will not walk away from that market without putting up a good fight. Why do I say that? We think this move from the Trump administration is a push for the final leg of negotiations to ensure a trade deal is negotiated.”

During a visit to Washington to reset bilateral ties in May, a South African delegation tabled a trade deal to the Trump administration, but a final deal hasn’t been signed.