Grain SA led a peaceful march to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandton on Thursday, 13 August 2026. The producers and Grain SA leadership handed over a petition and memorandum calling for the JSE to reconsider its decision regarding the single soybean reference point system.
By Marisa Beeton and Aletta Pretorius of African Farming
Grain SA believes the return to a single reference point (also referred to as the single fixed point differential) could have significant financial implications for producers and may introduce transport-related deductions that do not adequately reflect regional supply and demand or the actual physical movement of soybeans.
Of particular concern is that Grain SA and industry experts invested considerable technical work, data and industry input into the development and testing of an alternative model. Grain SA remains concerned that the reasons provided for rejecting the model were not supported by sufficient quantitative evidence and that the model was not adequately assessed against the criteria established for its evaluation.
“Producers have made it very clear that this decision matters to them. Thursday was about taking that message directly to the JSE in a peaceful, disciplined and factual manner,” said Richard Krige, Chairperson of Grain SA.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment. We are asking for a system that reflects actual grain flows, promotes market efficiency and does not create unnecessary costs in the value chain.”
The petition calls on the JSE to conduct a transparent, evidence-based review and ultimately adopt a fair and efficient price-discovery system that better reflects physical market realities.
“Our objective remains very clear: a credible, transparent and efficient price-discovery mechanism that works for the market as a whole,” said Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA. “Engagement remains important, but where a decision has potentially significant implications for producers, Grain SA has a responsibility to challenge it through the appropriate channels.”
Also read:
How Grain SA’s Phahama Grain Phakama is turning small-scale farmers into grain entrepreneurs
Pressure on grain farmers as war drives up input costs
Agri Youth Day connects aspiring farmers with opportunities
PGP Farmer of the Year finalists showcase growth in the grain sector
