South Africa’s garlic industry is considering a compulsory industry levy as local producers face growing import competition, illicit trade and difficulties accessing funding to strengthen domestic production. The South African Garlic Growers Association (SAGGA) supported further investigation into replacing its voluntary levy with a statutory levy at its 2026 National Biennial Garlic Conference in Pretoria on 15 October.
The proposed funding model would extend contributions to more participants in the garlic value chain, including importers and processors, rather than relying mainly on locally produced garlic sold through fresh produce markets.
SAGGA chairperson Corrie Bezuidenhout told Farmer’s Weekly that the association would consult growers and other industry stakeholders before proceeding with the proposal. The association currently collects a voluntary levy of 0.5% on garlic sold through national fresh produce markets. However, an increasing proportion of locally produced garlic is sold directly to supermarket groups, limiting the reach of the existing funding
mechanism.
Bezuidenhout said approximately 70% of the proposed levy income would be allocated towards supporting the industry and creating a more level playing field for local producers.
Imports increase competitive pressure
The funding debate comes as imported garlic gains ground in South Africa’s domestic market. Statistics presented at the conference showed that 4.56 million kg of garlic were traded through national fresh produce markets between 2023 and 2025, generating R262 million in turnover. Imported garlic’s share of the volume traded increased from 11.3% in 2023 to 17.4% in 2025.
The import challenge has persisted for years. A 2025 report by FreshPlaza, citing SAGGA, estimated that approximately 67% of the 4,800 tonnes of garlic consumed annually in South Africa was imported. It identified inconsistent local supply and limited availability of preferred garlic varieties as reasons larger buyers continued relying on imports.
The industry has consequently been testing imported varieties from countries including Israel, Spain and Argentina to determine which can be successfully cultivated under local conditions.
Trade protection and production constraints
Another concern is the future of anti-dumping duties on garlic originating from China, which are due to expire in February 2027. Trade protection specialist Frans Dubbelman told conference delegates that SAGGA
would not pursue an extension of the existing duties after struggling to compile a sufficiently comprehensive application to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa.
The application was affected by difficulties obtaining verifiable financial information from participating producers, while low international garlic prices complicated the process. Dubbelman said future applications would require greater cooperation from growers, including accurate financial records and regular monitoring of production, imports and market conditions.
Bezuidenhout also raised concerns about the alleged circumvention of anti-dumping duties through falsified country-of-origin documentation. He described illicit garlic imports as a major obstacle for local growers and legitimate importers competing against products entering the market at lower prices.
Production costs and the availability of suitable varieties add to the pressure. SAGGA has been collaborating with private enterprises to test varieties in different production regions, while partnerships with the Agricultural Research Council and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture aim to revive virus-free planting-material programmes.
The National Agricultural Marketing Council is also conducting a study of the garlic value chain to assess industry performance, structural challenges and growth opportunities. The outcome of the proposed levy and research initiatives could determine whether the industry can improve production consistency, secure stronger market access and compete more effectively against imported garlic for local producers.
