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A delegation from Grain SA, led by the CEO, Dr. Pieter Taljaard, visited the port themselves. The objec-
tive of the visit was to improve their knowledge on the day-to-day operational aspects of the port and
to build contact with role-players in the port to try and improve communication and the effectiveness
of grain exports.
There was also an oversupply of soybeans and Grain SA worked hard to ensure that export markets
were open and to establish new markets. It was confirmed that permit markets were open for exports
and the Chinese protocol was approved by technical teams by November 2021, and the next step
was for the ministers from both countries to sign the protocol. Grain SA was also proactive and had
already met with the authorities and storage facilities to make sure that all the regulatory actions to
comply with the export protocol were in place when it was time to start planting. The protocol was
signed by the respective ministers in June 2022, therefore exports to China are open. Through the
sustained work of Grain SA, together with that of other role-players, soybean exports have increased
strongly so far in the 2022/2023 marketing season.
A part of the agricultural master plan discussions and negotiations is also to make the logistics system
more effective and manage it better. One of the actions is to make upgrades to the port infrastructure.
SEED COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED
During the 2021/2022 planting season Grain SA investigated various seed enquiries and com-
plaints on behalf of our members. On specific occasions Grain SA had the seed tested itself to
ensure quality.
GRADING REGULATIONS FOR MAIZE
In August 2021 the Maize Forum applied for amendments to the maize grading regulations. This
application came after consultation with industry role-players since January 2019 and included
research by the SAGL. The reason for the revision of the grading regulations was to make cosmetic
changes and reduce grey areas in the grading regulations.
Some of the main proposals were to remove discoloured and water-damaged kernels as defective
kernels (although the definitions remain in the regulations), and to provide a better description of
frost-damaged kernels.
At the beginning of 2022 it was realised that the Department of Agriculture was progressing slowly
with the consultations on the changes and the Maize Forum applied for a temporary dispensation. At
the end of April 2022 a dispensation was granted to the industry. However, at the beginning of May
the dispensation was withdrawn by the department as a result of a request by the forum, as some
of the role-players did not agree with it. After several urgent meetings of the forum and the technical
committee, consensus about the proposed changes could still not be reached. However, the forum
decided that the grading application had to follow the normal course and that individual role-players
had to comment separately.
On 31 October 2022 the Department of Agriculture published the grading regulations as submit-
ted in August 2021 for comment.
APPLIED ECONOMY AND
MEMBER SERVICES