Various soya bean cultivars are very well adapted to South African conditions. Soya beans are mainly cultivated under dryland conditions and grown mainly in Mpumalanga (59%) and KwaZulu-Natal (21%), while small quantities are also cultivated in the Free State, Northern Province, Gauteng and North West Province.
During 1999/2000, approximately 93 800 ha were planted to soya beans in the commercial areas—a decrease of 28% compared to the 130 500 ha cultivated during 1998/99. The estimated crop of 152 605 tons of soya beans for 1999/2000 represents a decrease of 19% compared to the 1998/99 crop of 187 942 tons.
Plantings, production and yield of soya beans from 1995/96 to 1999/2000 are as follows:
|
Year |
1995/96 |
1996/97 |
1997/98 |
1998/99 |
1999/2000 |
|
Plantings
(ha) Production
(t) Yields
(t/ha) |
68
000 80
000 1,18 |
87
000 120
000 1,38 |
125
000 200
900 1,61 |
130
500 187
942 1,44 |
93
800 152
605 1,63 |
The total local commercial consumption of soya beans for 1999/2000 is estimated at 205 000 tons (25% for oil and oil cake and 16% for human consumption). There is a growing interest in soya products in South Africa because of the health benefits associated with the product. It is therefore envisaged that soya will move from being just a cheap replacement for maize to being a crop for the future.
The local producer price for soya beans for 1999/2000 is approximately R1 285/ton, which is 7% more than the price for 1998/99.
The average producer prices of soya beans from 1995/96 to 1999/2000 are as follows:
|
Year |
1995/96 |
1996/97 |
1997/98 R/ton |
1998/99 |
1999/2000 |
|
Producer
prices |
1
200 |
1
391 |
1
095 |
1
202 |
1
285 |
The following graph indicates the consumption and producer
prices of soya beans for the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000:
During 1999/2000, approximately 58 000 tons of soya beans were imported. Small quantities are exported annually.
On 30 June 1998, the Oilseeds Board terminated its functions. All assets of the Board were transferred to the Oil and Protein Development Trust to be used for the benefit of the oilseeds industry. No statutory levies are applicable and the marketing of oilseeds is free from government intervention. With regard to exports, phytosanitary requirements and quality standards must be adhered to and a PPECB certificate must be obtained.
Grain South Africa and the South African Grain Information Services (SAGIS), a section 21 Company funded by, amongst others, the oilseeds industry, perform the information function. Notices regarding Registration and Records and Returns were promulgated in the Government Gazette to be administered by SAGIS.
Research is financed with income from the Trust and performed by the ARC, CSIR and other research organisations.