Eswatini’s sugar industry is grappling with significant disruptions due to political unrest and protests in neighboring Mozambique. These challenges have affected key supply chains and forced the industry to explore alternative export routes.
The industry heavily relies on the Maputo port in Mozambique to ship raw sugar to markets in the European Union and the United States. This terminal, co-owned by Eswatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, has been a cornerstone of Eswatini’s sugar exports since the mid-1990s.
Nontobeko Mabuza, a representative of the Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA), highlighted the severity of the crisis, noting the potential risks to exports and market stability.
“The unrest in Mozambique is a grave threat to our exports,” Mabuza explained. “While we can consider rerouting shipments through Durban, South Africa, this would increase costs, strain transport infrastructure, and lengthen turnaround times, potentially affecting our reliability to customers.”
In 2023, the ESA generated $305 million through the export of over 26,000 tons of sugar, aided by the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act. However, the current instability in Mozambique has created additional challenges, including severe congestion and delays at Eswatini’s borders.
Bhekizwe Maziya, chief executive of Eswatini’s national agriculture marketing board, elaborated on these logistical complications. “The closure of Mozambique’s Lebombo border post disrupted transport routes. This rerouting through Eswatini caused traffic congestion and significant delays for importers and exporters.”
The unrest stems from protests led by opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who claims victory in Mozambique’s recent election. His supporters’ demonstrations have paralyzed major roads, leading to violent clashes with security forces and over 100 fatalities.
As Eswatini’s sugar industry scrambles to adapt, the broader economic impact of Mozambique’s crisis continues to ripple through the region.
