- Follow us:
- Our Commodities:
-
The opening day of the 2026 NAMPO Harvest Day placed the economic realities facing South African grain producers firmly in the spotlight, with Grain SA emphasising that producer profitability, long-term competitiveness and practical market solutions must remain central to the future of agriculture.
Under the 2026 theme, “Resilience through Innovation”, discussions throughout the day reflected a clear message from the sector: South African agriculture is operating under severe pressure, but the industry is not standing still.
Opening engagements and strategic discussions focused on the price-cost squeeze between rising production costs and producer income, with speakers warning that profitability is no longer only a farming issue, but a broader food security and economic stability issue for the country.
The issue of producer profitability took centre stage during a high-level panel discussion titled “To Farm or Not to Farm: The Economic Reality”, facilitated by Theo Vorster and featuring Grain SA Chairperson, Richard Krige, Hansie Viljoen, Jaco Minnaar and Japie Grobler.
The conversation unpacked the mounting economic pressure facing grain producers, including rising input costs, tightening margins, market volatility and the growing challenge of maintaining long-term farming viability.
A central question posed to the panel asked: “If you were starting today, would you choose to farm - and what would need to change for that answer to be yes?”
Panellists agreed that while agriculture remains a deeply meaningful and strategic sector, the economic environment facing producers has become increasingly difficult. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for improved profitability, more predictable policy frameworks, stronger logistics systems, expanded market opportunities and greater long-term investment certainty.
“We cannot separate sustainability from profitability,” said Krige. “If producers are not profitable, investment slows, succession becomes uncertain, and food security is placed at risk.”
The session strongly reinforced Grain SA’s broader NAMPO 2026 message: resilience in agriculture cannot rely on optimism alone - it must be supported by competitiveness, innovation, practical policy solutions and sustainable producer economics.
The current grain surplus and the pressures producers are working with are at the centre of Grain SA’s conversations at NAMPO. Every opportunity is being used to engage with role-players across the agricultural value chain on issues affecting producer sustainability and profitability, including engagements with Minister John Steenhuisen, who attended the event. Discussions continue to focus on market access, logistics efficiency, export opportunities, regulatory certainty and practical interventions that can strengthen the long-term viability of grain production in South Africa.
Throughout the day, Grain SA also highlighted the urgent need to improve market access and move surplus grain more efficiently through export channels and value-chain development.
Speaking during Grain SA’s strategic overview session, Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer emphasised that South African agriculture must increasingly position itself as a globally competitive, export-driven grain economy while simultaneously investing in long-term efficiency and productivity gains.
“There is only one way we remain globally competitive - and that is through better science, better technology and improved productivity,” said Doyer.
Doyer stressed that South African grain producers compete directly with major international production regions and that competitiveness can no longer rely solely on protection mechanisms. Instead, long-term sustainability will depend on productivity growth, technology adoption, efficient regulation and stronger market systems.
A major focus area discussed during the first day was the need to move beyond simply exporting bulk grain and towards increasing value addition within the agricultural economy.
Discussions around animal protein, regional trade opportunities, logistics reform and industrial demand formed part of a broader narrative around building a more resilient and diversified grain value chain.
Grain SA also reiterated its continued engagement on key policy and regulatory matters affecting producers, including:
Despite the difficult economic climate, the tone throughout NAMPO’s opening day remained constructive and solutions-driven.
“NAMPO is where agriculture comes together to confront difficult realities, share practical solutions and build confidence in the future of South African agriculture,” Krige concluded.
NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 continues until Friday at NAMPO Park near Bothaville, bringing together producers, agribusinesses, policymakers, researchers and international stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain.
Ends
Issued by:
Grain SA Communications
Further enquiries:
Richard Krige, Chairperson, Grain SA
boontjieskraal@com2000.co.za