Rooibos industry resilient despite US tariffs – SA Rooibos Council

Thabo Shole-Mashao (standing in for 702’s John Perlman) speaks with Marthane Swart, South African Rooibos Council Secretariat.

Listen below:

US tariffs on South Africa continue to affect export industries, including rooibos.

South Africa has been exporting rooibos globally for decades and it's a major contributor to the economy, as it is only cultivated in the Western Cape.

For several years Japan has been the top market for rooibos, with 26% of exports heading east. 

Swart says rooibos exports are no threat to the US economy; thus, the council has engaged with the Department of Trade and Industry and the US Embassy.

“I think the US is such an important market that we still want to engage it, but the rooibos industry, exactly like the plant, is resilient.” 

– Marthane Swart, Secretariat - South African Rooibos Council

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.