Methodology
Combination of quantitative data and qualitative research.
Research Objective
Provide an overview of supply and demand trends of soybean production and processing in South Africa.
Synopsis
- Soybean production in South Africa has more than tripled over the period of observation (2003 – 2013). During this period, production outstripped domestic consumption, allowing for export opportunities.
- Soybean production geared towards oil and oilcake, animal feed and human consumption – crushed soybean (oil/oilcake) have seen an increase in demand, while processing for feed and human consumption has been fairly consistent.
Policy Recommendations
- Two key factors influencing production includes weather conditions and land allocated to soybean production.
- Increase in domestic processing capacity can lead to increase in domestic demand, and as a result more crops geared towards soybean production.
- Marketing infrastructure plays a key role in boosting production and exports.
- Production of relatively minor commodities are centred around key export hubs.
- As soybeans (and soybean-products) increase in popularity, there are increasing SPS measures adopted by countries (which can often act as NTBs, restricting trade flows).