South Africa’s impending loss of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) preferences will put further pressure on Western Cape exporters already facing a sharp decline in sales to the United States, says Exporters Western Cape (EWC).

Following President Donald Trump’s notification on Monday of his intention to terminate South Africa’s eligibility from 1 January 2027, EWC chairman Terry Gale said the focus must now shift to helping affected businesses retain their American customers.

“The time to do anything about this has passed. This is going to have a negative impact on our exporters and South Africa can ill afford it. Our economy needs every export market and every job it can hold on to,” said Gale.

The Western Cape’s exposure extends well beyond individual exporters. The province’s exports to the US support about R12.98 billion in provincial GDP, 11 914 direct jobs and 35 467 indirect jobs. Any further loss of orders puts those jobs at risk.

Exporters were already under severe strain. The value of Western Cape exports to the US fell 41%, from R16.89 billion between August 2024 and July 2025 to R10.02 billion between August 2025 and July 2026. Fruit juice exports fell 86%, from R952.9 million to R136.7 million, while grape exports declined 79%, from R444.2 million to R91.1 million. Yacht exports dropped 55%, from R1.4 billion to R627.6 million. Wine exports fell 38%, from R603.1 million to R371.5 million, while citrus declined 17%, from R2.19 billion to R1.82 billion.

Losing AGOA preferences would make an already difficult position worse, said Gale. The programme has provided eligible African countries with preferential access to the US market since 2000 and its loss will raise the cost of doing business with American customers.

He said the effect would vary between products, but the concern extended beyond the immediate cost to the trading relationships exporters had built.

“We can’t afford to see our trading relationships weakened, least of all with the US. Businesses have spent years building relationships with American customers and investing in the capacity to supply them. Losing preferential access puts those investments under pressure.

“Government needs to work with affected industries to establish where the greatest exposure lies and how businesses can be helped to retain their customers. Exporters need to understand what this means for their products while they still have time to discuss arrangements with their buyers.”

The United States Trade Representative said on Monday that the intended termination followed the annual review of AGOA eligibility. Its statement said South Africa’s practices were inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria, citing barriers to US trade and investment, corruption and threats to US national security and foreign policy interests.

EWC said clear guidance would be essential for businesses negotiating orders extending into 2027. The implications for pricing could affect whether an exporter remained competitive or had to absorb additional costs to keep a customer.

Gale said developing alternative markets remained essential, but cautioned against presenting diversification as an immediate solution.

“Finding another market is not something an exporter can do overnight. Building relationships with new buyers takes time. There may also be regulatory requirements that cannot be met immediately, particularly by smaller businesses with limited resources.

“We should pursue new opportunities with urgency while working to retain our American customers. We cannot afford to write off established trading relationships simply because the terms of access are becoming more difficult.”

He said the announcement made it even more urgent to address domestic constraints that increased the cost of exporting.

“Government cannot ask exporters to compete under more difficult trading conditions while accepting avoidable costs and delays at home. Every unnecessary expense makes it harder for a South African supplier to hold on to an order. Improving the reliability of our logistics system is one area where we can make a meaningful difference.

“Businesses need to know what changes from January and what support will be available. The priority must be to help them continue trading, because lost orders ultimately put jobs at risk.”

We were asked if we can order from TOPS and how alcohol deliveries work on the SPAR2U app. Below are some answers on your TOPS orders and your alcohol deliveries and how it works on the SPAR2U app.

Which Grocery Delivery Apps Work With TOPS Stores?

You can order beverages from participating TOPS stores from the SPAR2U app.

Are Alcohol Deliveries Available From Participating TOPS Stores?

Yes. We deliver alcohol from TOPS stores through the SPAR2U app.

You can find our full list of participating TOPS stores on our where we deliver page.

What Alcohol Delivery Options Are Available on SPAR2U?

You can order beer, wine, spirits and other available products from participating TOPS at SPAR stores through SPAR2U.

Does SPAR2U Deliver Beer, Wine and Spirits on the Same Day?

Yes. We offer same-day alcohol delivery. This is, however, subject to delivery times and legal trading hours.

If you have any further questions or need to download the app go to https://www.spar.co.za/spar2u

Leading logistics provider Bakers SA Limited has further strengthened its commitment to customer service, operational excellence, and innovation through the introduction of 67 new Serco dry-freight bodies mounted on SANY electric trucks.

The investment forms part of Bakers SA Limited’s ongoing fleet renewal programme and reflects the company’s proactive approach to adopting technologies that improve reliability, security, sustainability, and long-term operating efficiency for its customers.

While electric trucks have historically faced challenges relating to vehicle range and operational practicality, advances in battery technology and vehicle design are now making electric commercial vehicles a viable option for selected logistics applications. Bakers SA Limited has taken a considered and forward-thinking approach in evaluating these developments, positioning the company among the early adopters of large-scale electric truck technology in South Africa.

For Bakers SA Limited, selecting the right vehicle and body combination was critical. The company required a solution that could deliver durability, maximise vehicle uptime, protect valuable cargo, and reduce operating costs while maintaining the high service standards expected by its customers.

To meet these requirements, Serco supplied its Protec dry-freight body, a proven solution designed for demanding transport operations. The Protec body utilises steel-coated outer facings with a lightweight injected foam core, providing enhanced durability and impact resistance compared with conventional fibreglass body construction. This results in lower repair costs, improved longevity, and greater vehicle availability.

The vehicles are also equipped with Serco’s captive shoring system, allowing loads to be secured quickly and effectively. Unlike conventional loose load-restraint systems, the captive shoring bars remain permanently secured within the vehicle, reducing the risk of equipment loss or damage while helping prevent product damage in transit.

Security was another key consideration in Bakers SA Limited’s specification process. To address this requirement, the fleet has been fitted with an advanced geo-fencing lock system integrated into the tail lift operation. The technology allows rear-door and tail-lift functionality to be controlled remotely and activated only at approved locations, providing an additional layer of protection for both drivers and cargo.

According to Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft, the project demonstrates how innovation can deliver tangible benefits to transport operators.

“We are extremely proud of our long-standing relationship with Bakers SA Limited and are honoured to support them as they continue to invest in technologies that improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and fleet sustainability. Their decision to adopt electric vehicle technology reflects a progressive approach to logistics and demonstrates a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends while continuing to provide exceptional value to their customers.”

Abdool Tayob CEO of Bakers SA and Clinton Holcroft CEO of Serco handing over the first EV truck and body.

The 67-vehicle order represents one of the most significant commercial EV body-building projects completed by Serco to date and highlights the growing confidence in electric mobility solutions within the South African logistics sector.

As transport operators increasingly look for ways to reduce operating costs, improve sustainability, and enhance fleet performance, the collaboration between Bakers SA Limited, SANY, and Serco demonstrates how carefully selected technologies can deliver practical, real-world benefits while preparing businesses for the future of transport.