A large amount of garlic imports on the South African market during August and September is suspected to have been imported illegally. An investigation has been started as the oversupply pulled prices down to abnormally low levels, to the detriment of domestic producers.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) and an independent agency are looking into whether approximately 107 tonnes imported during September 2018 were either under-declared in terms of value volume. The investigation should find out whether the applicable import levies were applied, and if the garlic was irradiated as is required for garlic from certain countries.
