Grain SA and the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (SACOTA) have taken formal legal steps following continued delays in the implementation of the revised wheat tariff.
This follows an application submitted to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) in June 2024. Almost two years later, the industry is still awaiting finality, while South African wheat producers continue to operate under severe financial and market pressure.
In a formal letter of demand dated 22 May 2026, legal representatives acting on behalf of Grain SA and SACOTA gave ITAC, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Minister of Finance until 16:00 on Monday, 1 June 2026, to provide a final status report on the implementation of the revised tariff.
Grain SA and SACOTA emphasise that legal action was not taken lightly. For months, the organisations have repeatedly followed up with ITAC to obtain even basic information on the progress of the application, but the industry has received no meaningful response. The letter of demand further highlights that the wheat industry is in distress and that continued administrative silence has left the sector with no choice but to pursue legal steps.
“Producers cannot absorb endless delays while competing against countries that actively protect their agricultural sectors,” says Richard Krige, Chairperson of Grain SA. “Policy delays in volatile markets have real economic consequences for food security and rural employment.”
The industry remains committed to fair, rules-based trade, but maintains that the current administrative silence is causing measurable prejudice to South African wheat production.
