SATI Responds to USA 30% Tariff

[Paarl, 2 August 2025] – The South African Table Grape Industry notes with concern the 30% tariff imposed by the USA on South Africa. This will have a significant impact on consumer pricing of fresh grapes in the USA and make it extremely difficult for South Africa to compete with other Southern Hemisphere producers in the USA market.

 

Exports to the USA account for 3% of South Africa’s total volumes; however, specific regions and production units that are more reliant on the USA market may be disproportionately affected.

South Africa supplies the USA with a high specification product, in line with the market’s requirements, and over the last 20+ years has built a reputation for providing top quality, counter-seasonal produce to the market.

In the 2024/25 season, South Africa exported approximately 2.2 million 4.5 kg cartons (9,900 tonnes) of table grapes to the USA, valued at around R360 million ($19.8 million).

“SATI is particularly concerned that South African producers will be at a competitive disadvantage compared to other Southern Hemisphere exporters like Chile and Peru, which currently have a 10% tariff in the USA market,” said SATI CEO Mecia Petersen.

“We will continue to engage with the South African government in ongoing negotiations with the USA to advocate for a fair tariff that places our exports on a level playing field with other Southern Hemisphere countries,” said Petersen.

SATI is equally concerned about potential secondary effects of the tariffs on global markets, including increased supply from other countries facing high tariffs to South Africa’s main markets, such as the EU and the UK.

SATI remains committed to supporting the South African government’s efforts to refine its offering and secure a fair tariff for South African exports, recognising the strategic importance of the USA market to our industry’s growth and export diversification objectives, Petersen said.

Ends
Issued by the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI)

Media Enquiries:
Ms. Denene Erasmus
Market Development & Communications Manager
denene@satgi.co.za
+2784 548 4606

About SATI
SATI is the unified South African Table Grape Industry Association. All table grape producers are required to register with SATI, which is mandated by law as the industry’s official levy administrator. The levy is required to fund and facilitate market access and development, research and technology, information provision, transformation, and training. SATI is dedicated to operating a partnership that strives to maintain South Africa’s position as the preferred country of origin for retailers around the world. Contact: info@satgi.co.za