Improving Agricultural Market Performance:
Developing Agricultural Market Information Systems
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Figure 14: Supply Estimates for Cereals in South Africa by Crop and by Province
SourceSAGIS, which is hosted by theMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, publishes regularly
updated monthly information on crop output forecasts, imports, utilisation (domestic
consumption and exports) as well as end-stock levels. In Figure 14 is an illustration of reports
on crop output forecasts at didifferent times during the season and also for the different
provinces. A network of registered brokers who trade on the exchange employ professionals
who analyse trends in price and other market-sensitive information and offer relevant advice to
buyers, sellers and other investors. This is among the structures instituted by SAFEX/JSE to
ensure integrity and transparency of trading activities. In addition, the exchange also has a well-
managed Silo Certificate System which guarantees the quality and quantity of traded
commodities. It also has a very reliable clearing and settlement system which assures payment
for commodities sold. Hence, the price is the only issue settled during trading and the existence
of an integrated information system is helpful to the market players.