South African garlic growers weigh statutory levy as imports climb

South African garlic growers will investigate replacing their voluntary 0,5% levy with a statutory one, a decision taken at the South African Garlic Growers Association's (SAGGA) 2026 National Biennial Garlic Conference in Pretoria on 15 October.

The timing isn't casual. Imported garlic's share of the domestic market climbed from 11,3% of total volume in 2023 to 17,4% in 2025, while antidumping duties on Chinese garlic expire in February 2027. Local producers, in short, are losing ground on two fronts at once.

Chairperson Corrie Bezuidenhout told Farmer's Weekly that members backed the executive's proposal to explore the change further, and that SAGGA would consult growers and other industry stakeholders to establish their views on the proposal and its implications.

Why the levy model needs fixing

The current voluntary levy of 0,5% applies only to garlic sold through fresh produce markets. A growing proportion of the crop now goes straight to supermarket groups, which sits outside the net. SAGGA believes all industry participants, including importers and processors, should contribute towards funding its activities.

Bezuidenhout said SAGGA would follow the National Agricultural Marketing Council's (NAMC) guidelines on administration costs and fund allocation. Roughly 70% of levy income would go towards supporting the industry and creating a more level playing field for local producers. The rest, one assumes, keeps the lights on.

What happened to the antidumping duties?

SAGGA has decided not to pursue an extension of the existing duties on Chinese garlic. Trade protection specialist Frans Dubbelman told delegates the association failed to compile a sufficiently comprehensive application to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC). The obstacle was partly practical: producers couldn't supply verifiable financial information, and low international garlic prices complicated the process.

Future applications will demand more from growers — accurate financial records, and regular monitoring of production, imports and market conditions. Dubbelman also argued any new investigation should cover a wider range of garlic products, such as rehydrated garlic and garlic flakes, some of which were on display at the conference. More countries of origin should be investigated too, to broaden the coverage of future duties.

Then there's the smuggling problem. Bezuidenhout described the illegal importation of garlic as one of the industry's biggest obstacles, and flagged circumvention of antidumping duties through falsified documents on the country of origin. Legitimate growers and importers are competing against cheaper, illegally imported product. SAGGA is also concerned about imports rerouted through neighbouring countries to dodge the duties.

The numbers behind the worry

Statistics presented at the conference showed 4,56 million kilogrammes of garlic sold through South Africa's national fresh produce markets between 2023 and 2025, generating R262 million in turnover. Johannesburg remained the country's largest trading centre, accounting for 60% of the volume and 55% of the revenue.

What does this change for the average grower? Not much yet — a statutory levy requires consultation, NAMC process and patience. But a funding base that includes importers would give SAGGA more muscle for trade cases it has so far struggled to win.

Research and varieties in the pipeline

On the agronomic side, climatic differences make it difficult to grow commercially competitive varieties in South Africa. SAGGA has spent the past two years collaborating with private enterprises to test imported varieties across different production areas. Producers wanting varieties suited to their specific conditions can contact the association through its website.

Efforts are also under way to revive virus-free planting-material programmes, through partnerships with the Agricultural Research Council's Roodeplaat campus and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the NAMC is running a comprehensive study of the garlic value chain — covering industry performance, structural challenges and growth opportunities — with stakeholders encouraged to take part in ongoing survey interviews.

A changing of the guard

Bezuidenhout announced he will step down as chairperson at the end of 2026, thanking his executive team for their voluntary service. His parting message was stoic: "Circumstances have changed a lot over the years, and the challenges today feel much worse than in the past. However, if we look back at the circumstances of our parents and grandparents, there were also challenges for them that seemed insurmountable, and they coped with them successfully. We can, too."

Growers should watch the levy consultation process and the February 2027 expiry of the Chinese duties — the two decisions that will shape who funds, and who defends, the industry next.