35 Greater competition between companies and cultivars creates a healthy environment for producers. In 2024 at Grain SA’s Congress it was decided that the soybean breeding and technology levy would continue for the next three years; therefore it continued throughout 2025. It was decided that the levy would still continue at 1,2% of the soybean price. Below a breakdown of the levy for the extended three years that was decided on in 2024: From March 2025 the levy has been as follows: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Marketing year 2025/2026 2026/2027 2027/2028 Five-year shifting average soybean price R5 831 R6 048 R6 996 Levy % of the soybean price 1,2% 1,2% 1,2% Calculated soybean levy (per ton) R70 R73 R84 Annual meeting with SANSOR Grain SA met with SANSOR on 15 September 2025 for our annual meeting. Liaison with SANSOR on a regular basis is important to ensure that problems can be solved together. At the same time, greater efficiencies in grain and oilseed production can be achieved. Important issues that were addressed with the representative body of the seed industry include: Maize seed exports to the USA Sclerotinia on soybean and sunflower New breeding techniques/Plant breeding innovation International and local market trends Budget production costs for the 2025/2026 production season New cultivars vs new active ingredients Feedback on breeding and technology levies/Success criteria Maize cultivar evaluation trials Goss’s wilt Seed borne diseases New Plant Breeders Rights Act Availability of seed GMO Monitoring Project THE FERTILISER INDUSTRY South Africa imports more than 80% of its fertiliser requirements, the volatile rand has added additional pressure to fertiliser prices and a weaker currency makes imports more expensive. Despite these challenges, South Africa’s monetary policy offers some relief. Over the past three years, the fertiliser market has been under significant pressure, primarily due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. As one of the world’s largest producers of ammonia, urea, potash, and processed phosphates, Russia’s disruption of supply chains had a profound effect on global fertiliser markets. Russia accounts for 23% of global ammonia exports, 14% of urea, 21% of potash, and 10% of processed phosphates, while also supplying about one-third of Europe’s natural gas, a key feedstock in nitrogen fertiliser production. The withdrawal of Russian fertiliser from global markets exacerbated supply shortages and led to sharp price increases. Fertiliser prices From September 2024 to September 2025, international fertiliser prices have increased almost across the board. Only Ammonia saw a decrease of almost 25%. The rand/dollar exchange rate stayed rather stable, strengthened by 0,68%. Table 1 (on page 36) shows the year-on-year price changes of international fertiliser prices in dollar terms. INPUT OVERVIEW
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