“We are on the eve of a big grain crop,” said Annatjie Loio, president of the Grain Handling Organisation of SA (GOSA) in her annual report, presented to the GOSA symposium. “This is good news for the industry. We are geared to handle the expected crop of more than 12 million tons. Simultaneously, there’s a sharp increase in grain and oil prices that exerts tremendous pressure on consumer prices. I expect a further increase in bread prices.”
The symposium, held near Rustenburg, was attended by some 200 delegates, mainly silo and depot managers and the technical staff of agricultural companies and related industries countrywide. This was also GOSA’s 25th anniversary. Loio said although commodity prices were high, GOSA still had to ensure that grain handled by members complied with consumer requirements and standards. “The high commodity prices and increased crops are not only good news to those of us operating silos, but also excellent news for the rural areas, where we can expect a considerable increase in economic activity,” she emphasised.
Loio also said food hygiene and food safety in the industry are assured under the GOSA flag. A generic document dealing with food safety and hygiene standards is in the process of being compiled, in conjunction with experts from the grain silo industry. n addition, the Ambele electronically based assessing model has been approved by AgriSETA and a second phase is under way. The development of colour charts for grading is progressing well and these will soon be available. – Hans Lombard
