Join
What membership and assessment cost
Fees are set on a cost-recovery basis and approved by the members at the annual general meeting. The assessment fee reflects the scale and commercial intensity of the farm.
Which band are you in?
Turnover is self-declared and subject to peer review. You tell us the band you fall in; we do not estimate it for you. If you are uncertain, ask the administrator and the group will work it out with you before the visit.
Fees are payable before the farm assessment visit, per the group's procedures.
Annual membership
- Farmer & consumer membership
- R100
- PGS South Africa membership Paid by the group from membership fees
- R500
Assessment & certification
| Annual turnover | Initial | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Below R250 000 | R1 500 | R900 |
| R250 001 – R500 000 | R2 500 | R2 000 |
| R500 001 – R1 000 000 | R3 000 | R2 500 |
| R1 000 001 – R2 500 000 | R3 700 | R3 200 |
| R2 500 001 – R5 000 000 | R5 000 | R5 000 |
| Above R5 000 000 | R8 000 | R8 000 |
Fees are per farm assessment visit. Transport for the administrator is charged separately at the AA rate; visits are clustered geographically wherever possible to reduce that cost. Renewal fees apply only where no significant changes to land, production system or inputs have occurred. Only fully paid-up members are eligible for a farm assessment.
What the fees cover
Fees are set on a cost-recovery basis. They pay for the work of running a peer assessment group, not for a certificate.
The assessment fee covers
Administrative coordination, preparation, facilitation of the farm visit, reporting, the peer review process, and certification decision-making carried out by the PGS administrator.
OPP §2.2
When it is due
Fees are payable prior to the farm assessment visit. Only fully paid-up members are eligible for farm assessments and receive certificates.
The group pays the annual PGS South Africa membership fee out of the membership fees it collects.
OPP §2.3
Paying
Ask the administrator for the group's banking details and the payment reference to use. bank details to confirm
Before you pay, ask a question
If you are not sure which band you are in, or whether a renewal applies, ask before paying. Renewal rates apply only where no significant changes to land, production system or inputs have occurred; where major changes are identified the group may require a full assessment at the initial rate.
OPP §2.3
How to join
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Step 1
Apply
Approach the group as a prospective farmer or producer member.
Initial contact
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Step 2
Pledge
Sign the farmer member pledge. A recorded verbal pledge is accepted where reading is a barrier.
Ethical agreement
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Step 3
Share
Supply the group with the information it needs to assess your operation.
Farm dossier
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Step 4
Prepare
Familiarise yourself with the Basic Production Principles and the SAOSO standard.
Self review
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Step 5
Visit
A peer assessment team visits the farm and works through the assessment.
Peer verification
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Step 6
Review
The committee reviews the findings and records a decision.
Formal record