Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa

Information being gathered for TRIM RFI

Agbiz Grain is currently liaising with various industry role-players to gather information regarding rail volumes used by its members. Industry bodies consulted include Grain SA, SACOTA, the National Chamber of Milling (NCM) and the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA). Agbiz Grain received ‘in-scope’ confirmation from the Competition Commission in December last year to proceed with the gathering of information. This came after Transnet in 2025 announced its intention to split Transnet Freight Rail into two entities, the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and TRF, which will function as an independent network operator.

TRIM representatives met with Agbiz, Sacota, and Agbiz Grain in July last year to discuss industry’s buy-in in the process and provide more information regarding the opportunity for value chain role-players to bid for slots and operate branch lines effectively. The goal of the information-gathering exercise by Agbiz Grain is to map the potential flow of grain from Agbiz Grain member silos to mills, feed mills, and harbours using interactive maps. This will assist in identifying viable rail lines as part of the response to the request for interest (RFI) for the so-called B-lines of the South African railway network. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 31/07/2026

Progress with SHEQ audit

The development by Agbiz Grain of a safety, health, environmental, and quality (SHEQ) audit tailored to the unique aspects of the grain handling and storage sector, is based on five pillars comprising a standards document, an audit questionnaire, an audit standard operating procedure, the audit process, and monitoring and evaluation. The first draft of the SHEQ standards has been approved by the Agbiz Grain advisory committee, and the first version of the audit questionnaire is currently in its final draft stage.

Pilot audits will be done at depots in September this year. Audits will address issues such as pest control, contractor management, construction work, emergency preparedness, SHEQ training records, and various other aspects. The audit-system will assist Agbiz Grain members in ensuring a safe working environment and minimising risks to food safety. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 31/07/2026

Grain SA deeply disappointed by JSE decision

Grain SA said in a statement it is deeply disappointed by, and disagrees with, the decision by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) not to retain the multiple reference point model for calculating soya bean location differentials and to revert to a single reference point system. The JSE’s decision is set out in its Market Notice on the outcome of the multiple reference points model pilot.

Grain SA, together with independent scientists and technical specialists, invested significant time and resources in developing and testing an alternative methodology supported by independent scientific research, market data and practical analysis. This methodology sought to achieve a more equitable and accurate matching of demand to supply.

Grain SA said it cannot support the proposed return to a single reference point, nor the relocation of that reference point, without a comprehensive and transparent assessment of the potential financial consequences for producers across all soya bean-producing regions. The organisation will submit detailed comments on the proposal and will continue to advocate for a location differential methodology that is transparent, evidence-based and equitable to all market participants. – Press release

Published: 31/07/2026

Changes to Australian phosphine regulations

Australian grain role-players have been warned that changes to workplace exposure limits for phosphine, due to take effect from 1 December 2026, could significantly disrupt the grains supply chain and restrict insect management options. Phosphine is a chemical fumigant used to treat all types of pests in stored grain and commodities. It is the only widely available and cost-effective chemical treatment of its kind, with industry estimating phosphine is used to treat about 90% of stored grain in Australia.

Under current workplace health and safety regulations, Australian grain must not exceed a phosphine threshold limit value – time weighted average (TLV-TWA) of 0,3 parts per million (ppm). This is based on safe exposure levels for an individual working an eight-hour day over a five-day week.

As part of a broader review of chemical exposure limits, Safe Work Australia will reduce the workplace threshold for phosphine exposure to 0,05ppm from 1 December under the Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants regulation. The proposed threshold would be the lowest of its kind globally. – Grain Central

Published: 31/07/2026

Far East buyers drive demand for South African maize

South Africa expects to harvest a record 17,3 million tonnes of maize this season. However, farmers had harvested and delivered only 27% of the crop to commercial silos by late June after heavy rains delayed fieldwork. Despite the slower pace, the crop quality remains better than last season.

Export activity has continued to improve as more maize reaches the market. During the week ending 19 June, South Africa exported 113 775 tonnes of maize. Vietnam received 76% of the shipments, while South Korea accounted for 11%. African countries received the remaining volumes.

The stronger demand from Far East buyers marks a change from the previous marketing year, when African countries led South Africa’s export market. Zimbabwe bought almost half of the two million tonnes exported during the 2025 to 2026 marketing year, which ended in April 2026.

Since the start of the 2026 to 2027 marketing year in May, Far East countries have taken about 72% of the 607 228 tonnes of maize exported by South Africa. Analysts say buyers continue to favour South African maize because of its good quality, low moisture levels from natural sun drying, and competitive pricing. – Milling Middle East & Africa

Published: 31/07/2026

EISA for grain depot manager qualification

The grain handling industry currently has 40 students enrolled in the Occupational Certificate: Grain Depot Manager Programme, with the first intake having started in mid-2024. The two-year programme has progressed well despite an annual three-month training interruption during peak grain intake periods.

AgriSETA has confirmed that the first external integrated summative assessment (EISA) will take place on 30 November this year. Peritum Agri, currently the only accredited provider offering the qualification, expects that 28 students will be ready to write the EISA. An EISA preparatory workshop will be held in September 2026 to prepare students for the case study-based assessment.

The November date set by AgriSETA may pose operational challenges, as it falls in a busy period for the industry, and we have requested that future EISAs be scheduled for February and September.

The EISA must take place at a registered assessment centre. Currently accredited sites include Peritum Agri (Free State), AFGRI (Gauteng), and NWK (North West). Agbiz Grain has also applied for registration as an assessment centre and is busy facilitating the registration of a centre in the Western Cape.

An exemplar question paper is currently being moderated and will be published on the AgriSETA and Agbiz Grain websites to assist the industry in preparing students for the examination. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/05/2026

SHEQ audit evaluated

Compliance with safety, health, environmental, and quality (SHEQ) standards is critical for the grain handling and storage industry. Sites are characterised by a combination of unique circumstances, including extreme heights (40m), confined spaces, on-site traffic, and hazardous chemicals.

The development of a SHEQ audit tailored to the unique aspects of the grain handling and storage sector has been identified as an important future requirement. The Agbiz Grain SHEQ audit will be based on five pillars: a standards document, an audit questionnaire, an audit standard operating procedure, an audit process, and monitoring and evaluation. The first draft of the SHEQ standards was compiled by a task team and is in the final reviewing phase ahead of piloting at storage sites in the first half of 2026. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/05/2026

Food safety conduct document approved

Consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety and seek assurances that the food they buy and eat is not only nutritious but was also produced, stored, handled, and processed under responsible, transparent, and hygienic conditions.

The Agbiz Grain Food Safety Conduct document was created in 2022 in response to rising customer demand for transparency and reassurance, particularly among industries involved in human and animal food supply chains. The document offers a practical framework for demonstrating compliance with food safety standards and legal obligations, providing reassurance to domestic and export markets. The final draft of the conduct document has been accepted and approved by all members of Agbiz Grain and will be voluntarily implemented by each member upon customer request.

The document, among others, sets out the conditions under which grain must be stored to comply with relevant legislation and good practices. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/05/2026

Information regulator enforcement notice against JSE

An important event for the grain and oilseed trading industry quietly occurred on 5 January this year when most of its participants were still on holiday. The information regulator, Adv Pansy Tlakula, delivered her enforcement notice on a complaint filed against the JSE by Inhlanhla Ventures. She set aside the JSE’s refusal to disclose a series of share trades alleged by Inhlanhla to be suspicious, and ordered the exchange to notify all those involved in the trades so that they could submit representations on the release of the records requested by Inhlanhla.

The complaint related to a request for information that Inhlanhla had filed with the JSE in 2023 through a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request. Inhlanhla had sought access to records and documents about trades executed on the JSE between 3 and 19 May 2020 in respect of shares of a company, enX Group Ltd.

The regulator confirmed that a contractual confidentiality agreement can never trump PAIA’s requirements of transparency and disclosure. It stated that “a duty of confidence cannot simply be created by agreement; non-confidential matters should not trump the constitutional right of access”. This is also true for the JSE and its governing legislation – the Financial Markets Act or FMA – which prohibits the disclosure of confidential information “unless disclosure is required or permitted in terms of a law or a court order”. The regulator confirmed that PAIA is a law that permits disclosure, and so PAIA must trump any supposed prohibition on disclosure under the FMA. – SACOTA

Published: 02/02/2026

Seed of hope for barley producers

A new R2 billion malting facility, set to purchase 70 000 tonnes of barley next year, sparked lively debate during a panel discussion at the 2025 NAMPO Cape. This major investment could signal a turning point for South Africa’s barley industry, which has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Johan Lusse, general manager of grain and grain services at Overberg Agri, noted that the company has been involved in the barley value chain for more than four decades. Despite difficult times, Overberg Agri has no intention of exiting the industry. “Barley must be carefully stored in silos to preserve its quality,” Lusse explained, adding that honesty and clear communication are essential in this niche industry.

Barley is typically stored for around a year before use, during which germination poses the greatest threat, because it could render the grain unusable. “This risk is one of the main reasons producers often opt to plant wheat or canola instead,” Lusse said.

Jeremy Antier, managing director of Soufflet Malt South Africa, provided more insight into the new malting facility under construction in Johannesburg. The facility will process locally grown barley for clients such as Heineken. If all goes according to plan, the first 70 000 tonnes of barley will be purchased next year, with the goal of producing 100 000 tonnes of malt annually by 2027. – Susan Marais, Plaas Media

Published: 03/11/2025

Traders call for greater market transparency

In a bid to enhance market transparency, the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (Sacota) has urged the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) to introduce a trader position report – commonly known as a Commitments of Traders (COT) report.

“Excessive, unjustified, or unexplained market volatility is harmful,” says Dr André van der Vyver, executive director of Sacota. He emphasised that access to reliable information is one of the most effective ways to curb or prevent such volatility. The proposed COT report would be a valuable source of this information.

Other data such as grain stock levels and distribution figures are also vital, but stock numbers alone do not tell the full story. Timely and cost-effective access to these stocks is just as important. When market participants have insight into the activities of different trader categories, they tend to act with greater caution and responsibility in their own decisions.

Sacota remains committed to advancing transparency in grain trading on the JSE. “We will therefore continue doing our homework and taking further steps to help make this a reality,” concluded Dr Van der Vyver. – Izak Hofmeyr, Plaas Media

Published: 03/11/2025

AGDA celebrates five impactful years

The Agricultural Development Agency (AGDA) recently celebrated five years of impact with a call for collaboration, inclusion, and technology-driven growth in agriculture. AGDA marked its fifth anniversary with a member and stakeholder engagement presented under the theme “Cultivating Innovation and Partnerships in Practice: Building Shared Agricultural Futures”. The gathering brought together government leaders, industry experts, and agribusiness stakeholders to reflect on the sector’s progress and chart new pathways for inclusive growth and innovation.

AGDA is a facilitator, aggregator, and integrator, representing 45 000 farmers, 50 agribusinesses, 26 financiers, and seven commodity organisations, a testament to its expanding footprint and influence across South Africa’s agricultural value chain. Opening the event, Kallie Schoeman delivered an insightful reflection on AGDA’s transformative journey since its inception, setting the tone for a day of meaningful dialogue. – Agbiz Newsletter

Published: 03/11/2025

Agbiz Grain advisory committee gets new member

Helgard Botes recently joined the Agbiz Grain advisory committee as a member. Botes holds an LLB degree from the University of the Free State and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in Bloemfontein. After a period practicing as an attorney in Bloemfontein, he decided to trade the courtroom for a new career in corporate agriculture. Botes spent several years as legal advisor, dealing with various legal aspects. In 2019, he joined Senwes as legal advisor and assistant company secretary. During this tenure, he gained extensive experience in commercial law, among others. In 2024, Botes moved to the Senwes Grainlink operational team and currently serves as project manager: operations and efficiencies. While he continues to apply his legal knowledge daily, he finds great satisfaction in the dynamic nature of operational work, where no two days are the same. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 01/08/2025

Copra delegation visits Agbiz Grain

In July the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (Copra) visited South Africa. This Tanzanian organisation is currently developing its five-year strategic plan (2026/27 to 2030/31), with support from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) Tanzania. The Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) organised a benchmarking visit to South Africa for the Copra delegation, to learn about best practices in agricultural regulation and commodity market systems. The delegation comprised 12 participants, including officials from Copra, the Tanzanian ministry of agriculture, the Tanzania president’s office, EAGC, and Agra Tanzania. The group visited Agbiz and Agbiz Grain on 23 July during which Agbiz CEO, Theo Boshoff, and Agbiz Grain general manager, Dr Charl van der Merwe, discussed the South African grain handling industry and general agricultural issues. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 01/08/2025

Zimbabwe commissions grain silos based on AI

The government has commissioned a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI)-powered silo complex in Kwekwe. This is a major boost to Zimbabwe’s economic growth trajectory under Vision 2030. President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the 56 000-tonne facility comprising seven advanced silos. The Kwekwe silos are the first of 14 new complexes planned for key agricultural areas, including Beitbridge, Gwanda, Lupane, Gokwe, Masvingo, and Timber Mills in Mutare. Each complex will contribute to help increase the country’s total storage capacity from 750 000 to 1,5 million tonnes. This expansion will strengthen strategic reserves, protect against rought, stabilise food prices, and cut post-harvest losses. The smart grain silo integrates IoT-sensing technology, automated environmental controls, and digital-management platforms to monitor temperature, humidity, and grain moisture in real time. – TV BRICS

Published: 01/08/2025

Senwes Group reports resilient 2025 results

Senwes has released its financial results for the year ended 30 April 2025, delivering a resilient performance in a challenging environment. Despite a 24,6% decline compared to the previous year, the group still achieved its third-best financial results to date. Profit after tax attributable to shareholders was R645 million, with normalised headline earnings per share of 399,1 cents (2024: 484,3 cents). Challenging conditions including severe drought, high interest rates, and infrastructure constraints affected the local agricultural sector. On a global scale, economic stagnation in Germany muted demand and a constrained second-hand machinery market placed pressure on the group’s subsidiary in Eastern Germany. Senwes’ acting group chief financial officer, Wayne Edwards, noted that the group is implementing a turnaround plan in Germany. “While it’s still early days, we believe Senwes has laid a strong foundation for future growth in the region.” Senwes declared a final dividend of 54 cents per share (2024: 50 cents) and repurchased shares valued at R51 million, enhancing overall shareholder returns. – Press release

Published: 01/08/2025

Sibusiso Mabuza new CEO of PGP

A businessman with 20 years of agricultural leadership experience, Sibusiso Mabuza has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP),Grain SA’s dedicated farmer development division. PGP delivers tailored support to over 5 800 emerging grain producers across South Africa. Mabuza’s experience includes senior roles at Super Grand Agric, Numolux Group, and the National Empowerment Fund. He has secured over R50 million in project funding, led the construction and revival of agricultural infrastructure, raised capital for vaccine trials, and designed finance strategies for feed mills, abattoirs, and grain production. – Grain SA

press release (edited)

Published: 01/08/2025

New Agbiz Grain executive committee elected

Agbiz Grain elected a new executive committee on 12 February this year. Jerry Maritz of AFGRI Grain Management was re-elected as chairperson. Francois Froneman of VKB was named vice-chairperson, while Johan Lusse of Overberg Agri will also serve on the committee. Agbiz Grain congratulates the new leadership and expresses confidence in their continued contributions to the South African grain industry. The committee will play a key role in representing member interests and industry advancement. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 02/05/2025

Brazil to modernise grain storage infrastructure

Brazil’s National Supply Company (Conab) has partnered with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Itaipu Binacional to modernise grain storage infrastructure in a bid to boost operational efficiency and food supply management. Itaipu Binacional, a partnership between Paraguay and Brazil that runs the hydroelectric plant at the Itaipu Dam, would provide US$10M in funding for UNOPS to conduct infrastructure assessments of Conab’s warehouses in Rolândia, Cambé and Ponta Grossa in Paraná state, and Maracajú in Mato Grosso do Sul. The project is expected to improve the transport of wheat and soya beans to the Port of Paranaguá, located 200km away. The Ponta Grossa facility alone is set to increase its capacity from 300 000 to 420 000 tonnes. UNOPS will oversee the project’s execution, beginning with infrastructure assessments later this year, followed by bidding processes. Renovations are expected to begin in April 2026 and take two years. By significantly expanding the country’s grain storage capacity, the initiative will enhance supply management, help control inflation and reduce food prices for Brazilian consumers. – Oils and Fats International

Published: 02/05/2025

Higher 2025 SA summer crop forecast

South Africa’s commercial maize crop for 2025 has been revised upwards to 14,56 million tonnes, representing a 4,65% (or 647 450 tonnes) increase from the previous estimate of 13,91 million tonnes. The updated figures mark a substantial 13,3% rise compared to the 2024 harvest. According to the latest forecast, the country’s total maize planting area is estimated at 2,597 million ha, with an average yield of 5,61t/ha. The Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces are expected to contribute approximately 81% of the total maize output. White maize production is now forecast at 7,70 million tonnes, up 4,05% from the previous estimate. This crop is planted across 1,6 million ha, with an expected yield of 4,81t/ha. Yellow maize is projected at 6,86 million tonnes – an increase of 5,34% from the earlier forecast – planted on 997 000ha with a yield of 6,88t/ha. Among other summer crops, sunflower seed production is forecast at 770 500 tonnes (+7,01%), and soya beans are set to reach 2,39 million tonnes (+2,78%). Groundnuts have also been revised upwards to 66 929 tonnes (+2,40%), and sorghum is expected to hit 137 435 tonnes (+6,03%). Dry bean production remains steady at 79 007 tonnes. – Crop Estimates Committee

Published: 02/05/2025

GOSA symposium 2025 around the corner

GOSA’s 40th annual symposium will take place at the Diaz Strand Hotel in Mossel Bay on 18 and 19 March 2025. The symposium’s theme will be “Innovating South Africa for a more competitive global market” and will include presentations regarding the current economic and political landscape, a climate outlook, innovation in the handling and storage space, as well as the psyche and principles behind competitiveness to effectively compete in a competitive global market. The symposium provides an excellent platform to expand your network and to meet new role-players across all aspects of the grain value chain. Registration closes on 6 March 2025 or when we are fully booked – whichever comes first. Visit the website at grainorgsa.co.za for more information or follow GOSA on social media. – GOSA

Published: 03/02/2025

Development of SHEQ compliance audit protocol

During the November 2024 Agbiz Grain SHEQ (safety, health, environmental, and quality) seminar held in Pretoria, the need for a standardised SHEQ Compliance Audit for the grain handling and storage sector was one of the panel topics.

The grain handling and storage sector consists of many facilities across South Africa that differ in type, size and age of construction. Such differences result in the sector being challenged by distinct SHEQ risks and mitigation methods, not just in terms of compliance obligations, but also regarding the insurability of the sector.

Although there was unanimous agreement that the sector needs a specific SHEQ compliance protocol, the development of such a document will require all grain handling and storage stakeholders to participate. A sector committee was established and includes nominated participants from industry stakeholders.

The committee will commence early in 2025 with the first step to confirm the scope of the audit protocol and to identify all SHEQ compliance obligations relevant to all types of grain handling and storage facilities. The identified obligations will be used to develop a SHEQ compliance audit protocol. Existing audit protocols of external service providers will also be considered.

The committee then needs to identify an independent auditing body, and determine the audit frequency and requirements. A standardised SHEQ compliance audit protocol will not only allow for the compliance evaluation of each stakeholder but will result in the collective growth of the sector.

The nominated sector compliance committee members are Luven Naidoo of AFGRI Grain Management Service (Pty) Ltd, Lester du Plooy of Agrimark Operations, Elize de Beer of NWK, Jaco Joubert of Overberg Agri, Fabian Boysen of OVK, Lionel Smit of Schoeman Boerdery, Adeline Earle of Senwes, Mariska Malan of SSK, André Badenhorst of TWK Agri, and Gerhard Lourens of VKB/GWK. – Jaco Joubert, Overberg Agri

Published: 03/02/2025

New grain and soya bean terminal in Saudi Arabia

National Grain Company, a joint venture between the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co (SALIC) and Saudi shipper Bahri, have opened a new grain and soya bean terminal in Saudi Arabia. Constructed over a two-year period, the facility can handle up to three million t/year of grain including barley, maize and soya beans. It is the first regional centre for grains in the Yanbu port, according to the company. The new terminal has a storage capacity of 156 000 tonnes, including 12 silos with a total capacity of 96 000 tonnes and a flat warehouse with 60 000 tonnes of capacity, a 650m conveyor belt, and a ship grain unloading capacity of 800 t/hour. Abdulrahman Al-Fadley, Saudi Arabia’s minister of environment, water and agriculture and chairperson of the board of SALIC, says the terminal would help boost the origination and discharge of grains to Saudi Arabia and enhance supply chain capabilities. – World Grain

Published: 03/02/2025

Expectations for 2025: Question bank

Agbiz Grain, in conjunction with Lizelle Jacobs of MindAlive, plans to complete a number of important projects in 2025. One of these is the Fumigation of Stored Agricultural Products skills programme curriculum, which is in its final stage. Valuable inputs were received from the fumigation work group, and the final curriculum will be presented to all members in February, after which it will be submitted to AgriSETA for registration with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The Grain Depot Manager occupational qualification has been registered on the Occupational Qualifications Framework (OQF) for a year, and skills development providers are currently training students to become world-class depot managers. However, this qualification can only be certified once the student has written the External Integrated Assessment (EISA), a nationally standardised assessment administered in accredited assessment centres. Industry subject matter experts are responsible for compiling a question bank from which each EISA can be compiled. Agbiz Grain has received nominations for experts who have helped with this important task during 2024. Unfortunately, this process is a year behind schedule. Urgent attention is needed to ensure students can apply for certification via the EISA when they complete their training at the end of 2025. Agbiz Grain plans to develop accredited skills programmes for sampling and grading of various agricultural commodities for training students on specific commodities. A funding application has been submitted to AgriSETA for the development of the curriculum and learning material for maize (white and yellow), wheat, soya beans, and sunflower seed in 2025. The same will be done for barley, canola, sorghum, and groundnuts in 2026. The process to be followed is similar to the one used for the Fumigation Skills Programme currently in development. A working group will be nominated from the grain industry and, along with a facilitator, will develop the outline and scope of each skills programme. All curricula are submitted to the QCTO for registration. – Lizelle Jacobs, MindAlive

Published: 03/02/2025

Narratives shaping SA’s 2025 production

We find ourselves in a tricky crop season. At its start, we expected a recovery from the 2023/24 season characterised by El Niño induced drought damage. It started to rain in most regions of the country from mid-December 2024 to January 2025, and continued to rain at the time of this note’s publication. Grazing veld showed the promise of recovery, but concerns remain now that producers who have not yet completed planting are struggling to get into the fields because of the wet weather conditions. The main risk with planting late is the possibility of frost damage later in the season. If the country is fortunate to be spared from frost, as we have seen in recent seasons, the prospects for a better harvest remain, even for late plantings. Higher white maize prices in South Africa may be a reality in the first quarter of 2025 and relief may become evident in the second quarter of the year. – Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz

Published: 03/02/2025

First white maize imported since 2017

South Africa recently offloaded its first white maize vessel since March 2017 in Durban. The country has not imported white maize since the big drought of 2016/17. This trend changed with last year’s poor crops, record exports to Zimbabwe, and record high prices.

During the 2023/24 production year, grains and oilseeds experienced a poor year with production declining from the previous year by approximately 22,5% in the case of maize and 33,5% for soya beans. In November 2024 the final estimate of the Crop Estimates Committee for white maize production was at 6,007 million tonnes, down by 29,3%, and yellow maize was at 6,716 million tonnes, down by 15,4%. In the South African seasonal crop cycle, these products should last until approximately March/April 2025 before the new crop (planted in November and December 2024) becomes available again.

Looking at South African demand only, this means the country had just enough grains to feed itself. However, from a Southern African perspective, during most years, South Africa also supplies countries such as Botswana and Namibia with the bulk of their demands. What the South African grain industry did not fully anticipate was that the drought would also affect crop production in the countries around us, and we saw strong demand from particularly Zimbabwe, not only for white but also yellow maize. As early as the end of February 2024, it became evident that South Africa would have to import yellow maize and possibly white maize and soya beans. – Press release, SACOTA

Published: 03/02/2025

Drought impacts NWK income

Last year’s drought is cited as the biggest contributor to the almost 50% drop in the North West-based agricultural company NWK’s half-year profit, from R133 million in October 2023 to R69 million in October 2024.

According to an NWK press release, most of the company’s service area did not receive enough rain, accompanied by extremely high temperatures during critical phases of 2023/24’s crop development. The region was able to realise only around 40% of the previous year’s maize harvest, which amounted to only a sixth of the average harvest. However, NWK’s half-year income increased by 1,6% from R2,897 billion in October 2023 to R2,943 billion in October 2024. Despite the drought, NWK still issued an interim dividend of 14c/share. This represents a total of R15 million allocated for distribution to shareholders. – Susan Marais, Plaas Media

Published: 03/02/2025

Agbiz Grain members to meet at SHEQ seminar

The Agbiz Grain SHEQ Working Group will meet on 7 November to discuss three critical aspect:

The Agbiz Grain SHEQ Compliance Audit: This audit document will be drafted by a drafting committee from the sector with the help of external parties who will be part of the audit process.
Alcohol and substance abuse in the workplace (particularly the use of cannabis): Employers have been forced to review their policies and procedures as employees may exercise their right to use cannabis before and after work.
Injuries in the workplace (doctors not wanting to treat injury on duty [IOD], employees faking IODs for various reasons, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act [COIDA] claims): Members are experiencing reluctance on the part of some medical practitioners and institutions to treat IODs, as many of them claim that they are not paid by the Commissioner for their services.

Agbiz Grain Quarterly will report on this meeting in an upcoming issue in 2025. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

QCTO skills programmes: Sampling, grading and fumigation

The development of the Sampling and Grading Skills Programme for 2024/25 will include maize, wheat, soya beans, and sunflower seeds and for 2025/26, canola, malting barley, sorghum, and groundnuts. A total of eight skills programmes will be developed. Students will earn credits for the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO) accredited Grain Depot Manager and Grain Grader Qualification developed by Agbiz Grain.

Lizelle Jacobs of Mind Alive has been appointed as the facilitator for the development of the skills programme, Fumigation. For more information regarding the development of the respective skills programmes, contact Lizelle at info@mindalive.co.za. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

US expands grain handling safety programme

The United States (US) Department of Labour recently announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a regional emphasis programme to address worker safety in the highly hazardous grain handling industry, as preventable injuries and unchecked hazards continue to be a serious concern for workers in the region. The programme in Missouri is identical to those already in place in Kansas and Nebraska.

Between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2023, OSHA responded to three fatalities, 13 reported amputations, and 36 hospitalisations among industry workers in the three states alone. During this period, the agency completed 104 inspections, including 68 in Kansas, 28 in Nebraska, and eight in Missouri. It received 131 complaints or referrals regarding unsafe conditions in the grain handling industry.

Hazards at grain handling facilities are well documented and include dangers related to fires and explosions if combustible dust ignites, engulfment, confined spaces, falls, auger entanglements, electrical shock and electrocution, struck-by incidents, and those related to rail car operations.

The expanded five-year programme targets industry employers with grain elevators, grain storage and milling operations, and those engaged in animal feed production, farm machinery, and equipment repair or maintenance. – Insurance Journal

Published: 04/11/2024

Complaints regarding SB1 standard to be resolved by storage operators

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has been receiving complaints that soya beans being delivered as a SB1 standard, do not meet quality expectations. This is affecting the ability of JSE clients to access their stocks in a timely manner as they have to wait for the stock to be sifted to remove foreign matter. The JSE believes that when a storage operator issues a silo certificate, the client should receive the quality and quantity of the product stated on the JSE certificate without the need to sift the product. Sieving delays the process of getting the product to the crushers and waiting time adds costs to the processor.

The JSE advocates that storage operators should assist their JSE clients to receive the correct quality and quantity of their that a storage operator cannot find a client’s stock at a particular location and has to outload at another location, it should be borne in mind that the cost of transportation is the responsibility of the storage operator. If such issues are raised with the JSE, it will refer the client to the storage operator for a resolution. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

JSE: Physical deliveries amid tight stock levels

The JSE, as a licensed exchange, is obligated to ensure a fair, efficient, and transparent market in futures contracts listed and traded on its commodity derivatives market. An integral aspect of maintaining this market’s integrity in physically settled commodity futures contracts is market participants’ compliance with their delivery and other obligations as recorded in the JSE Rules and Contract Specifications.

The specifications contain extensive provisions regarding approved storage operators’ obligations and responsibilities in respect of the commodities stored in terms of JSE receipts, one of which is their obligation to store and deliver the quality and quantity of commodities at the location recorded on the JSE receipt.

The JSE has been informed that the 2023/24 summer grains and oilseeds crop has had a difficult season due to dry weather, resulting in a lower harvest than the previous season. In these circumstances, and as a result of the transition from one season to the next with lower stock levels compared to the previous year, there may be concerns regarding the availability of commodities in certain regions.

Market participants are urged to manage their outloading booking slots promptly and are reminded of the 25% booking slots designated for JSE receipts on the main hedging months. Furthermore, clients are urged to utilise the JSE Stock of Grain Report to identify where the majority of JSE stock levels per silo are stored and to consult the Silo Unavailability Report. – JSE Market Notice

Published: 04/11/2024

GrainCorp fined for fumigation mishap

GrainCorp Operations Ltd has been fined AU$15,000 by the New South Wales (NSW) Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after an alleged system error led to a phosphine gas emission at the company’s Port Kembla grain terminal in New South Wales, Australia earlier this year. Phosphine gas is used by grain companies to control pests during fumigation processes.

The NSW EPA said the error occurred after an operator at the grain terminal connected the wrong gas sample line to the grain fumigation monitoring equipment. As a result, both of the terminal’s monitoring and control systems failed, which allowed the emission of the phosphine gas at levels above the licensed limit.

A GrainCorp investigation found no environmental or public health risks, but the company said it is implementing corrective actions and additional engineering controls to prevent future incidents. NSW EPA is the primary environmental regulator for New South Wales. The agency partners with business, government, and the community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the environment. – World-Grain.com

Published: 04/11/2024

Latest developments concerning SHEQ audit

As the grain storage industry is unique and has unique risk and mitigation applications for those risks, the need for audit criteria focussed solely on the grain storage sector has been raised. The idea is to have an audit document that covers all the aspects that grain storage facilities should comply with. This document will be drafted by a drafting committee from the sector with the help of external parties who will be part of the audit process.

Issues that will be discussed at the Agbiz Grain SHEQ seminar on 7 November this year include: What are the advantages and disadvantages of such an audit document? Will all members of Agbiz Grain participate? Will this add value to the work SHEQ teams perform in the industry? What are some of the basics we would like to see in such an audit document? The following panel members will assist in reaching conclusions: Gerard Ramage of VKB Group, Ebbe Rabe of Price Forbes, Jaco Joubert of Overberg Agri, and Japie Greyling of AFGRI. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

Viridis appointed in SAWCIA open tender process

The South African Winter Cereal Industry Agency (SAWCIA) has appointed Viridis as the administrator and to communicate with collection agents concerning the collection of statutory levies for wheat, barley, and oats. This follows an open tender process during September this year. Be sure to read the full article elsewhere in this publication. For more information, Agbiz Grain members and all other collection agents are welcome to contact Gert Kok of Viridis at admin@viridisafc.co.za. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

Olam looking to expand in Africa

After recently announcing plans to construct a new pasta production facility and expand its wheat flour production capacity in Ghana, Olam Agri said it is looking at further expansion in Mozambique and other Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries.

Consumption of wheat-based products in Mozambique has increased significantly over the past two decades, almost tripling since the early 2000s, with annual wheat consumption reaching 700 000 tonnes. The country is a gateway to SADC countries as it shares a border with Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.

Olam Agri, which has operated in Mozambique for the past 25 years, has a strong presence across all 11 provinces with operations in Maputo, Beira and Nacala, where the main ports are situated. The company is a leading distributor of edible oils and rice, and is aligned with national efforts to improve food security. An expansion into wheat milling and pasta production will add value to local processing capabilities, the Singapore-based company said. – World-Grain.com

Published: 04/11/2024

Effect of storage problems on commercial equine feed: Austria

In a recent study, researchers at the Austrian University of Veterinary Medicine evaluated the effects of storage on maize, oats, and barley, which are some of the main cereal grains in equine feeds. The researchers examined commercial cereals manufactured by different local companies and bagged for sale including native oat, barley, and maize as well as flaked oats, flaked barley, and flaked maize.

Some interesting results from the 36 samples include:

Impurities were found in 28 samples, including rye, wheat, wild oats, chaff, husk, sand, earth, and manure.
Oats had higher impurities than barley or maize.
Unopened samples had higher impurities than the opened samples stored for 42 days.
All barley samples had pest components, such as moth larvae, meal mites, and booklice. Control samples contained flawed grains and pests, with maize having the fewest impurities. All samples had concentrates of secondary metabolites of fungi.
Fumonisin was only found in maize.
Barley had the most concentrations of pesticides, including piperonylbutoxide, but at low levels.
All samples retained dry matter content above 88%, with levels below 85% considered unacceptable. – Equine Management

Published: 04/11/2024

Agco focusses on precision agriculture

Ferguson, and Valtra, is selling its grain storage and processing division, Grain and Protein, for US$700 million (equivalent to €648 million) to investment firm American Industrial Partners. The deal involves five brands: GSI, Automated Production, Cumberland, Cimbria, and Tecno. Under these brand names, Agco manufactures grain silos, dryers, and conveyors. However, Agco will retain the Chinese operations of Grain and Protein.

According to Agco, divesting this division allows the manufacturer to focus on the production and development of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technologies. Agco plans to use the proceeds from the sale for predetermined priorities, including paying off debts, investing in technology, business growth, and paying shareholders. – Future Farming

Published: 04/11/2024

Improved grain storage mitigates food crisis

Building resilience requires action across the food production chain, and Egypt’s government has taken a multi-pronged approach. One of the foundational elements of this strategy is to improve and expand the capacity of grain storage.

The World Bank’s Emergency Food Security and Resilience Support Project is part of these efforts to expand and renovate Egypt’s food silos. The Assiut food silo in the Upper Egypt governorate is one of the first to be expanded under the project, which involves rehabilitating and expanding seven silos and building two new ones. At the Assiut silo, storage will be expanded from the current level of 60 000 to 100 000 tonnes of grain annually. – World Bank

Published: 04/11/2024

Manildra wheat starch silos collapse

The Manildra Group is developing a recovery plan and safety assessment after the collapse of two silos spilt thousands of tonnes of wheat at its starches factory at Bomaderry on the New South Wales coast, releasing grain into the Shoalhaven River on 17 October, ABC News reported.

The flour mill has been shut down, but two-thirds of the plant are still operating. Each of the collapsed silos held around 1 000 tonnes of grain. The site has four silos, and a third silo containing 500 tonnes of grain was also badly damaged.

The silos are situated on the edge of the river, and the collapse impacted a hydrant, with the resulting water flow carrying wheat into the river, according to authorities. It is unknown what caused the silos to collapse or how much wheat entered the river. – World Grain

Published: 04/11/2024

Ukraine’s grain exports up from last year

Ukraine’s grain exports for the 2024/25 July to June season totalled 13 million metric tonnes as of 21 October, up from approximately 8,3 million tonnes on 23 October 2023, according to data from the agriculture ministry. The volume included 7,2 million tonnes of wheat, 3,8 million tonnes of maize, and 1,7 million tonnes of barley.

Ukraine’s government and farm associations have agreed to limit wheat exports in the 2024/25 season to 16,2 million tonnes to ensure sufficient supplies for the local population. Traders have utilised almost 44,5% of the agreed wheat export quota so far, with no restrictions on exports of other commodities.

The ministry reported that traders had exported around 2,6 million tonnes of grain in October compared to 1,6 million tonnes over the same period last year. The combined grain and oilseed crop for this year is expected to fall to 77 million tonnes, including approximately 54 million tonnes of grain, the ministry said. Ukraine’s grain exports in the 2023/24 marketing season increased to roughly 51 million tonnes from 49,2 million tonnes the previous year. – XM

Published: 04/11/2024

Review: Canola and malting barley grading regulations

Stakeholders in the value chain of canola and malting barley should note that the regulations are currently awaiting ministerial approval to be published in the government’s notice for public comment. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 07/08/2024

OVK students to embark on Grain Depot Manager qualification

OVK is excited to partner with Agbiz Grain on a journey where we help shape future leaders in the grain sector and advance professional capabilities within the grain industry.

OVK is proud to have two members who have enrolled for the grain depot manager (GDM) qualification. This qualification will equip them with the skills and knowledge to manage and achieve targets effectively, learn how to manage and lead personnel, and utilise resources efficiently while meeting responsibilities.

In addition, it will enable students to achieve operational efficiencies and maintain the mechanical integrity of bulk grain handling and storage units. OVK is honoured to have Joe Stander, silo manager at Clocolan silo, and Sipho Makatsi, silo manager at Ficksburg silo, as part of the GDM qualification group. – OVK

Published: 02/08/2024

Agbiz Grain welcomes Intreso Africa

Intreso Africa, a division of Intreso Group which incorporates the existing Agricultural Solutions business and holds exclusive rights to Draslovka proprietary products, presented its company profile and products to the steering committee on 20 May this year. The committee approved its associate membership at the meeting on 12 June. Intreso Group provides global trial support, application and product development consulting, and regulatory and business development support to suppliers, distributors, and customers of fumigation products. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 02/08/2024

NWK welcomes new trade manager

Bertus Jacobs joined NWK as the senior manager of NWK Trade on 1 June 2024. He took over from Pieter Coetzer, who retired on 31 July this year.

Jacobs grew up on a farm between Christiana and Schweizer-Reneke. After completing his master’s degree in sustainable agriculture at the University of the Free State, he joined GWK as operational head of precision farming

in 2011. He was the area manager of precision farming for the central region from 2014 to 2016. He also obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification from Stellenbosch University in 2016.

In August of 2016, he started working at the Humansdorp Landbou Koöperasie as a technical/specialist services manager. He was tasked with the operational management of various divisions, including fertiliser, agricultural

chemicals, seed, veterinary services, livestock, irrigation, as well as geographic information systems and technological development. He was also responsible for establishing a shade net erecting business unit that installed shade net for export crops such as citrus and grapes.

Jacobs is grateful towards NWK for the opportunity: “I am looking forward to investing in the area where I am from and to be part of an established agricultural business that is 115 years old. It remains a privilege to expose your children to the culture and values of this farming area.” – NWK

Published: 02/08/2024

Empowering grain depot leaders

On 29 July the Grain Depot Manager and Grain Grader Qualification Orientation marked a significant milestone in grain depot management. Lucas Mahlangu, training manager at AFGRI Grain Management, opened the event, setting the tone for a day of learning and professional growth.

The orientation featured contributions from Wessel Lemmer, general manager of Agbiz Grain, Jerry Maritz, managing director of AFGRI Grain Management, Jan de Sousa, general manager of operations at AFGRI Grain Management, and Emmie Pietersen, director of the Peritum Agri Institute.

The 24-month course, funded by AgriSETA, offers standard and uniform qualifications under the National Qualification Framework. Participants will receive certificates upon completion, recognising their achievements. The programme includes seven modules, four of which are core, designed to equip grain depot leaders with essential skills.

Pietersen provided an overview of the programme, noting the dedication required to complete the qualification and challenged participants to engage deeply with the content.

The Grain Depot Manager and Grain Grader Qualification Orientation is a significant step in empowering grain depot leaders, ensuring the industry’s sustainability and growth.

Congratulations to all who contributed to this remarkable achievement and to the participants embarking on this journey of learning and leadership. – AFGRI Grain Managment

Published: 02/08/2024

Regulation slows innovation

At the International Grains Council Grains Conference 2024, held in London, England on 11 and 12 June, delegates were told that the grains sector needs innovation and access to new technology to feed a growing population. Some are hoping that political changes in Europe will speed up the approval of new products and varieties.

Eric Dereudre, vice-president of international government and industry affairs for Corteva, an agricultural chemical and seed company, noted that producers have increased productivity over the last 50 years to feed a doubling population, while global maize production almost doubled in the last 30 years.

Dereudre also pointed out that there is already a “very large gap” between the productivity growth needed and what is being achieved, which is “not due to lack of effort from the agriculture sector”. He added: “All the innovation in the world can only be half the solution. Fast technology adoption is needed.” – World-Grain.com

Published: 02/08/2024

Application for statutory levy on wheat, barley and oats

The purpose of the application for a statutory levy is to provide financial support for winter cereal information, research, and transformation functions identified by the winter cereal industry as essential. This application has received unanimous support from the members of the Wheat Forum, following the recommendation of the Wheat Forum steering committee, representing the directly affected groups in the winter cereals industry.

Statutory levies have previously been imposed on wheat, barley and oats (which expired in September 2020) to provide financial support for research projects, quality testing, the provision of generic market information to all stakeholders, and to support the development of emerging winter cereal producers in South Africa. Agbiz Grain members support the application to reintroduce statutory levies on wheat, barley, and oats from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2028. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 02/08/2024

NWK Training Centre accredited

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has set policies in place to accredit trade test centres or assessment centres. The aim is to ensure that education and training in occupations and trades offered in the country are credible and valid. This is done in accordance with the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act 97 of 1998), Chapter 6C as well as the Continuing Education and Training Act, 2006 (Act 16 of 2006).

NWK applied for accreditation to the QCTO and its quality partners. Following a site inspection of the training centre, approval was given and the NWK Training Centre is now accredited for a period of five years starting 11 July 2024. The centre is accredited to test and assess the Occupational Certificate: Grain Depot Manager, an NQF level 5 qualification (ID 118686). – NWK

Published: 02/08/2024

Malting barley research initiated

Storage operators and buyers need information on the storability of malting barley varieties. Agbiz Grain has initiated two separate but mutually beneficial malting barley projects for 2023/24. Agbiz Grain appreciates the South African Winter Cereal Industry Trust’s (SAWCIT) financial support for the two research projects.

The respective researchers will provide SAWCIT with progress reports on the two projects. In addition, two follow-up projects have been identified for 2024/25 and once these are approved by SAWCIT, more information will be provided on the outcome and approval of the respective projects. Agbiz Grain has committed resources to the new project application from the start of the marketing year on 1 October when malting barley is received for storage. – Agbiz Grain

Published: 02/08/2024

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