Baking

Introduction

Bread is the second most important supplier of energy (kilojoules) in the South African diet after maize products. Apart from bread, bakers also produce other products like biscuits, pies and pizzas.

Local business environment

South Africa manufactured 3 289 138 tons of wheaten products in the months October 2024 – August 2025. SA imported a further 31 850 tons and exported 27 160 tons (SAGIS, 2025).

South Africa’s bread basket in the months October 2024 – August 2025 comprised of 54.96% white bread, 44.26% brown bread, 0.72% wholewheat, and a negligible “other”. The units numbered 1 203 804 572 loaves white bread; 969 413 107 loaves brown bread; and 15 937 274 loaves wholewheat bread. A total of 2 189 930 532 units of bread was baked. This excludes bread baked in the non-commercial sector.

Source: SAGIS Wheat Forum 22 October 2025 presentation.

National strategy and government contact

Department of Agriculture www.nda.gov.za

  • Find the link to the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, 1996 (Act no. 47 of 1996) , R 884 , Establishment of Statutory Measure in respect of Maize Products and Wheaten Products at www.sacb.co.za and/or www.sagis.org.za.
  • Find the regulations relating to the grading, packing and marking of bread wheat intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (under the Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990) on the internet.
  • The document “Guidelines on key requirements for governments markets – bread, eggs and dairy products” can be found at www.nda.gov.za.

Department of Health www.health.gov.za

  • White and brown bread should be fortified in accordance with the Regulation relating to the fortification of certain foodstuffs, R.7634 of 7 April 2003, under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics & Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972. 

Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) www.thedtic.gov.za.

  • The Trade Metrology Act of 1973 – Requirements for Bread.

National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS) www.nrcs.org.za

  • The NRCS is mandated to regulate products on behalf of government such as vehicle components and others in the interest of public safety and to ensure fair trade. It also regulates all types of perishable goods. This includes the Trade Metrology Act of 1973.

Role players

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Further reference:

Companies involved

Training and research

  • Agricultural Colleges like Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI), linked to the provincial departments of Agriculture, do short courses in baking. Find the contact details on the “Agricultural education and training” page.

Websites and publications

Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.

Some articles:

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