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D
uring the past year, South African grain producers were still dealing with the impact
of a worldwide pandemic and the detrimental effect of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Amid favourable weather conditions, grain producers had to face exorbitant input
costs and food inflation skyrocketed. It was a volatile year that tested our ingenuity
and endurance.
However, by grace high output prices balanced the scale of the economy and agriculture was able to
show its strength and together with mining pulled the economy through. During this abnormal time, the
government and consumers also came to a deeper realisation of the value of an agricultural sector that
provides food security. It was in many respects a blessed year.
The resilience of our grain producers in facing the challenging agricultural environment of the past
year came as no surprise. The determination and innovative mindset of the South African farmer is
well-known, and this demands respect.
To continue our unwavering support to Grain SA members, the past year marked the re-evaluation
of the strategic role this organisation needs to play to ensure optimal support and success for our
members as well as the strategic objectives we need to strive for in this regard.
Our members can rest assured that we will remain dedicated to our core business of maintaining and
supporting economically sound grain production to provide sufficient and affordable food to the people
of South Africa. Grain SA plays a vital role in its capacity as the centralised mouthpiece of South African
grain producers. I can testify first-hand to an inspired Grain-SA team that persistently investigates every
possible solution for the challenges that producers face and for this we say thank you.
The time has also come for all role players in agriculture to re-evaluate their relevance and to cooper-
ate in good faith in formulating the way forward as the future success of the grain industry will depend
on how successful we can function as team players. Fortunately, there is a greater drive within our
industry to work together for future growth.
Grain SA has succeeded in fostering excellent relationships in the agricultural value chain and with
political functionaries. I am optimistic that the role players in the grain industry will find compromising
solutions to issues that can negatively affect the grain industry.
AS A
VOLATILE YEAR PANS OUT
grace
SEASON OF
MESSAGE OF THE CHAIRPERSON
Derek Mathews
CHAIRPERSON