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 3 182 976 tons of wheaten products in the months October 2023 – October 2024. SA imported a further 24 160 tons and exported 25 088 tons.
South Africa’s bread basket in the months October 2023 – August 2024 comprised of 54.32%% white bread, 44.81% brown bread, 0.83% wholewheat, and a negligible “other”. The units numbered 1 190 400 381 loaves white bread; 981 942 191 loaves brown bread; and 18 250 262 loaves wholewheat bread. A total of 2 191 549 287 units of bread was baked. This excludes bread baked in the non-commercial sector.
Bread flour manufactured in the months October 2023- August 2024: white – 1 237 769 ton (77.77%); brown – 250 368 ton (15.73%), other flour (industrial) – 97 898 ton (6.15%), and whole wheat – 5 497 ton (0.35%).
Source: SAGIS Wheat Forum 23 October 2024 presentation.
National strategy and government contact
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) www.dalrrd.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.dalrrd.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
Further reference:
Companies involved
- Find the membership list on www.sacb.co.za. Also find the buyers guide at www.supermarket.co.za.
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.
- Find the annual Wheat Market Value Chain Profile on the DALRRD website, www.dalrrd.gov.za.
- For wheat related research documents and projects, contact SAWICT. See https://sawcit.com.
- Consult the Baker SA website at www.bakersa.co.za for articles, news and recipes.
- Bathie, G. 2000. Baking for Profit: Starting a small bakery. Abe Books. Available at http://developmentbookshop.com/food-processing-and-packaging
- Sasko. 2025, March 5. “Sasko unveils the betterest loaf ever, delivering a soft, tastier, and more premium bread experience “. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/article/sasko-unveils-the-betterest-loaf-ever-delivering-a-soft-tastier-and-more-premium-bread-experience-032275a
- Reporter. 2020, October 27. “Timely advice set Wendy on path to success”. Sowetan Live. Available at www.sowetanlive.co.za/business/2020-10-27-timely-advice-set-wendy-on-path-to-success
