South Africa’s government has raised alarm over millions lost in UK tariffs on agricultural exports, despite a trade agreement that guarantees duty-free access. A recent press release from the Ministry of Agriculture warns of “administrative drift” at the UK border, where exporters are being charged full duties instead of receiving the agreed preferences.
The financial impact is stark: £40 million in wine and £18 million in fruit and nuts, including £3 million in avocados, have been subjected to standard tariffs. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said that even when producers comply with the SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement, preferences are being “arbitrarily ignored, reinterpreted, or withheld.”
“In a jobs bloodbath, every rand we needlessly leave on the table is one fewer job on a farm, in a packhouse, or along the cold chain,” Steenhuisen warned.
The Government’s Plan of Action
To resolve the issue, the Ministry announced a cross-government response. Steenhuisen will work with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau to coordinate action.
A central part of the plan is to increase utilisation of UK trade preferences in key agricultural sectors such as wine, fruit, nuts, and avocados. The Department of Trade and Industry will partner with industry bodies to provide plain-language guidance on documentation and rules of origin, so that preference claims are processed correctly on the first attempt.
A single “front door” system will be created for exporter escalations, allowing cases to be logged, tracked, and resolved quickly. This aims to stop repeated delays that cost producers money and jobs.
Seeking Resolution and Transparency
The government will also request urgent technical talks with UK authorities to address operational issues, including proof of origin requirements, system glitches, and transparency around rejections. The goal is to ensure that qualifying consignments finally receive the tariff relief guaranteed by the trade agreement.
Transparency will be central to this effort. The Department of Agriculture is considering publishing a monthly utilisation dashboard for agricultural exports, so that gaps are visible and progress measurable.
Minister Steenhuisen sent a clear message: “Our message to producers is simple: if you comply with the rules, you should get the preference. And our message to partners in London is clear: South Africa values the relationship and expects the agreement to be applied as signed.”
The South African government is making it clear that it will not passively accept administrative failures that harm exporters. By coordinating across ministries, introducing a streamlined escalation system, and pressing for accountability from UK authorities, the government aims to secure fair access for producers under the SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement.
“Job creation and growth in agriculture require urgent, coordinated execution,” Steenhuisen stressed. “Farmers and agri-exporters must not be punished by administrative drift.”