I was born and bred in Bloemfontein  in the Free State, where I matriculated and in 2004 completed my Honours degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State, followed by my Master’s degree on the structure of South Africa’s fertiliser industry.

My career as an agricultural economist started in 2005 when I joined Grain SA. I currently lead the applied economics and member services team responsible for providing independent, accurate, and timely market and industry information. This role also supports Grain SA’s broader mandate by translating complex economic trends into practical insights for producers, enabling informed decision-making.

Stability across the value chain Grain SA is a voluntary, producer-led industry organisation established in 1999 that represents grain and oilseed producers across South Africa. The organisation represents producers across 33 regions nationally and serves a diverse membership base, including 7 852 commercial and 5 891 emerging grain producers. Through its producer development initiatives, the organisation supports roughly 18 398 beneficiaries, reflecting its strong commitment to transformation and inclusivity within the sector.

Grain SA’s vision – to influence macro- and micro-economic environments to enable sustainable and profitable local grain production  – reflects the understanding that long-term viability depends on structured engagement with markets, policymakers, and value chain stakeholders. Its mission emphasises inclusivity, voluntary participation, and meaningful partnerships, reinforcing the role of organised agriculture as both an advocate and facilitator.

Through structured representation, Grain SA connects on-farm realities to national and international decision- making platforms, ensuring that producers remain active participants in shaping their operating environment. By acting as a unified voice, Grain SA enables producers to engage constructively with government, regulators, and industry partners. This coordinated engagement ensures that policy interventions, regulatory frameworks, and market structures are informed by real production  realities. In times of economic pressure or sectoral disruption, organised structures provide continuity and credibility – qualities essential for effective advocacy.

In a dynamic and challenging sector such as agriculture, well-organised structures are essential to protect and advance the interests of producers and the broader agricultural value chain. Without  this coordination, the sector’s ability to remain competitive  and sustainable is significantly weakened.

For producers specifically, organised agriculture provides a collective voice that amplifies individual interests and ensures meaningful representation. Through cooperation within formal structures such as AgriSA and its member organisations, producers can influence policy decisions on land, water, trade, labour, and environmental  matters. This collective approach helps to level the playing field and ensures that the producer’s perspective  is heard.

Organised agricultural structures also create stability and trust across the wider value chain. By promoting structured engagement between producers, agribusinesses, and the state, organised agriculture supports the confidence required for investment, innovation, and market development.  Importantly, a coherent and well-functioning system enables the sector to respond more effectively to periods of disruption and to develop solutions that benefit the value chain as a whole.

 

In addition to serving as a protective framework, organised agriculture functions as a strategic network in which knowledge, resources, and influence are consolidated to support long-term sustainability and competitiveness. This organised approach allows the sector to engage policy structures as a unified entity, strengthening both credibility and impact. It also provides agriculture with a clear competitive advantage, underpinned by coordination,  institutional memory, and strategic alignment.

Within the grain and oilseed industries in particular, these structures can appear complex. However, this complexity reflects the diversity of production systems, markets, and policy interfaces the sector must navigate. It is precisely this structured organisation that enables grain producers to operate successfully within a demanding environment and reinforces the importance of strong, representative bodies such as Grain SA within organised agriculture.

As the grain sector confronts ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities, the importance of organised structures remains undeniable. Through unity, informed leadership, and shared purpose, organised agriculture will continue to support producers’ profitability, resilience, and growth, ensuring a sustainable future for South Africa’s grain industry.

By Corné Louw, head: applied economics  and member services, Grain SA