Grain SA has urged the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to recognise the critical role of grain producers in ensuring food security, while cautioning against holding farmers solely responsible for rising consumer food prices.
The organisation recently presented its producer-focused perspective during the commission’s national investigative hearing into South Africa’s food systems, which examined the structural, economic and policy factors affecting access to sufficient, affordable and nutritious food.
Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer said food security begins on the farm, but maintaining production requires farming to remain economically sustainable.
“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,” he said.
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Food prices extend beyond the farm gate
According to the organisation, food inflation is shaped by numerous factors beyond the farm gate, including fuel, fertiliser, electricity, transport, storage, processing, manufacturing, packaging, infrastructure constraints, retail margins and household purchasing power.
Doyer illustrated this by noting that less than 20% of the price of a loaf of bread is linked to the cost of wheat, with the remainder reflecting milling, baking, transport, energy, packaging and retail 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,” he said.
Infrastructure and trade remain major challenges
The organisation also highlighted the impact of inadequate infrastructure on food affordability, saying deteriorating roads, rail constraints and long transport distances increase costs throughout the grain value chain.
Grain SA argued that improving transport infrastructure would make grain movement more efficient, strengthen competitiveness and help reduce costs across the food system.
On trade, the organisation reiterated its support for open and competitive markets but warned that South African wheat producers face unfair competition from countries where farmers receive substantial government subsidies.
“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,” he said.
Innovation and farmer development
Grain SA emphasised that research, technology and innovation remain essential for improving productivity and keeping food production affordable. The organisation pointed to improved cultivars, climate-smart farming practices, precision breeding, responsible crop protection and sound agronomic practices as important tools for increasing yields and reducing production risks.
The organisation also showcased its farmer development initiatives, including the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) programme, which provides training, mentorship, technical support, technology transfer and improved access to inputs for emerging, developing and subsistence farmers.
Grain SA identified secure land tenure, access to finance, infrastructure, technology and stronger public-private partnerships as essential to supporting transformation and enabling more farmers to participate successfully in the agricultural economy.
“Solving hunger, affordability and nutrition challenges requires 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,” Doyer said.
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