Grain SA: Food security starts with a viable production base

Grain SA this week participated in the South African Human Rights Commission’s (HRC) National Investigative Hearing into the food systems of South Africa, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to supporting the constitutional right of all South Africans to have access to sufficient food.

Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer presented the organisation’s producer-focused perspective during the hearing on 7 July 2026, highlighting the central role that grain and oilseed producers play in South Africa’s food security, rural economies and the affordability of staple foods.

The inquiry is examining the structural, economic and policy factors that influence access to adequate, affordable and nutritious food in South Africa. Grain SA welcomed the opportunity to contribute to this important national conversation and to clarify the role of primary production within the broader food system.

“Food security starts where food is produced. Producers operate in rural communities where farming supports jobs, livelihoods and local economies. Our role is to help ensure that food can be produced as safely, nutritiously and affordably as possible, while also recognising that grain farming must remain economically sustainable,” said Dr Doyer.

During the hearing, Grain SA emphasised that food affordability must be understood across the full value chain. The price paid to a producer is not the same as the price paid by a consumer on the shelf, and producers do not determine final food prices.

Grain SA therefore cautioned against the oversimplified perception that farmers alone can be held responsible for high consumer food prices. While producers are the starting point of the food value chain, they do not determine final shelf prices. Final food prices and food inflation are influenced by several factors beyond the farm gate, including fuel, fertiliser, electricity, transport, storage, processing, manufacturing, packaging, infrastructure constraints, retail margins and household purchasing power.

Dr Doyer noted that, in the case of bread, less than 20% of the final price of a loaf is linked to the wheat price, while the balance is influenced by milling, baking, transport, energy, packaging and retail-related costs.

“Producers are often the cost absorbers in the food system. Rising fuel, fertiliser and energy costs place severe pressure on farm-level viability, but those costs are not always immediately reflected in what producers receive. If farmers cannot recover the cost of production over time, production capacity, jobs and long-term food security are placed at risk,” said Dr Doyer.

Grain SA also highlighted the impact of infrastructure on food affordability, noting that poor roads, rail constraints and long transport distances from production areas to consumption centres add costs to the food system. Improving infrastructure would support more efficient grain movement and contribute to a more competitive and affordable food value chain.

On trade and wheat production, Grain SA reiterated that it supports open and competitive markets, but that local producers cannot be expected to compete on unequal terms against products from countries where producers are heavily subsidised. Grain SA stressed that maintaining local production capacity is not only about food prices, but also about jobs, rural income and the ability of households to afford food.

“Food security is not only about whether food is physically available. It is also about whether people have income, jobs and economic opportunity to buy that food. If local production is weakened, rural economies are weakened with it,” said Dr Doyer.

The organisation further emphasised the importance of research, technology and innovation in keeping food production efficient and affordable. Improved cultivars, climate-smart practices, precision breeding, responsible crop protection and better agronomic practices all contribute to higher yields, lower production risk and more stable supply over time.

Grain SA acknowledged that technologies and agricultural remedies must be used responsibly, with proper training, protective equipment, good agricultural practices and effective controls to prevent misuse. The organisation’s position is that South Africa requires science-based, practical and locally relevant regulation that protects people while also safeguarding the production tools needed to produce food sustainably.

Grain SA used the hearing to highlight its farmer development work, including support to emerging, developing and subsistence farmers through training, mentorship, access to inputs, technical guidance and technology transfer. Through programmes such as Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP), Grain SA supports farmers to improve productivity, strengthen household food security and progress towards more sustainable farming enterprises.

The organisation acknowledged that transformation and inclusive participation in agriculture remain critical challenges. Secure land tenure, access to finance, infrastructure, technology and practical public-private partnerships were identified as key enablers for developing farmers to grow and participate meaningfully in the agricultural economy.

Grain SA further reaffirmed that the right to food is a shared responsibility involving government, producers, processors, retailers, input suppliers, researchers, civil society and consumers. Within this system, Grain SA’s contribution is focused on strengthening reliable and sustainable production, improving farm-level efficiency, supporting inclusive farmer development, investing in research and innovation, and promoting transparent and functional markets.

“Solving hunger, affordability and nutrition challenges require a balanced and evidence-based approach. South Africa needs a food system that protects consumers, supports producers and enables the entire value chain to function efficiently and responsibly. Farmers cannot be held solely responsible for consumer food prices, but without viable farmers, the country’s food security is placed at risk. A viable production base is not in conflict with food affordability - it is a prerequisite for it,” said Dr Doyer.

Grain SA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Commission, government and all food-system stakeholders to support the progressive realisation of sufficient, affordable and nutritious food for all South Africans.

ENDS