Grading ensures your product is on par

July 2023

NEELS WEGNER, HARMONISATION PRODUCT SPECIALIST, PPECB

When trading of commodities takes place, it is vital that the products’ quality is graded to determine if it complies to the set standards and requirements. The quality of products (canola, sunflower seed, soybeans and groundnuts) are indicated in their own standards and requirements (and guidelines in the case of groundnuts) as classes and grades.   

Grading particulars are normally documented as a regulation in accordance with the Agricultural Product Standard Act (APS Act 119 of 1990). With regards to the producer grading for groundnuts, the grading particulars are not published as a regulation under the APS Act but are recognised by industry as a guideline.

The different classes and grades for each product are indicated in Table 1. When one determines the grade and class of a specific product the following general quality aspects must be complied with. However this is not applicable for Grade Other, see Table 2.

SPECIFIC QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR OILSEEDS
The specific requirements for each of the products are explained below with references to specific tolerances that will be applicable.

Groundnuts
When groundnuts are delivered in pods, the kernel contents will be determined as a percentage to indicate the kernel mass that can be expected in the consignment of pods. When inspecting pods, a standard deduction of 1,5% will be made to compensate for shell loss adjustments that are likely to take place. 

A 10 kg sample of pods will be inspected:

• Shelled kernels in the consignment of pods shall not exceed 5%.
• Sticks in consignment op pods - not to exceed 10%.
• Foreign matter and sticks together not more than 15%.

A 200 g kernel sample of a consignment of groundnut pods will be screened and inspected to determine the quality aspects. From the 200 g sample the following tolerances will be applicable during grading:

• Edible groundnuts should not have unsound, blemished, soiled (UBS) kernels that exceed: 
  • Choice grades 10% max.
  • Standard grades 20% max.
• Edible groundnuts should not have unsound kernels that exceed: 
  • Choice grades 5% max.
  • Standard grades 10% max.
• Edible groundnuts should not have defective kernels that exceed:
  • Choice grades 20% max.
  • Standard grades 35% max.

The total sundry edible groundnuts should not have:

• UBS kernels – 30% max. 
• Unsound kernels – 15% max.  
• Defective kernels – 40% max

The total unsound kernels in the consignment should not exceed 20%.

The following screens will be used to determine the following grades:

• 7,5 mm slotted screen: Choice grade 1 (or standard grade 1).
• 6,75 mm slotted screen: Choice grade 2 (or standard grade 2).
• 6,0 mm slotted screen: Sundry grade (80/100 size).
• 7,2 mm round hole screen: Split kernels.
• 5,15 mm slotted screen: Crushing grade 1.
• Pan: Crushing grade 2.

The prices that will be paid for a consignment of groundnuts will be determined by the respective percentages of kernels of each grade – choice, standard, sundry and crushing) as they are screened.

Soybeans
When soybeans are delivered the following grading particulars and maximum tolerance will apply for grade SB1 soybeans:

• Wet pods determined per 10 kg sample – tolerance of 0,2%.
• All foreign matter, including stones other grain and sunflower seeds – tolerance of 5%.
• Other grain in the sample – tolerance of 0,5%.
• Sunflower seed in the sample – tolerance of 0,1%.
• Stones in the sample – tolerance of 1%.
• Sclerotia – tolerance of 4%.
• When screened, soybeans above 1,8 mm slotted screen but pass through the 4,75 mm round hole screen – 10% tolerance.
• Defective soybeans on top of the 4,75 mm round hole screen – 10% tolerance.
• Soiled soybeans – 10% tolerance.
• Collectively: All foreign matter and Sclerotia – 7% tolerance.

Sunflower seed
With sunflower seed delivery the following grading particulars and maximum tolerance will apply for grades FH1 and FS1:

• Foreign matter – 4% tolerance.
• Damaged sunflower seeds – 10% tolerance.
• Screening (sunflower seed below the 1,8 mm slotted screen) – 4% tolerance.
• Sclerotia – 4% tolerance. 
• Collectively: Foreign matter screenings and Sclerotia – 6% tolerance.

Canola
When canola is delivered the following grading particulars and maximum tolerance will apply for grades C1 and C2 (Table 3).

Publication: July 2023

Section: Pula/Imvula