Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.South Africa’s fresh produce markets need a shake-up to improve competitiveness and inclusivity of black farmers and market agents, while supermarkets slapping high mark-ups on fruit and vegetables must be transparent about pricing.
FPMI chairperson Hardin Ratshisusu said the commission had received nine comments from industry associations, processors, civil society, wholesalers and aggregators and had held discussions with 15 stakeholders across the value chain, including government departments, retailers, regulators and industry bodies.
“The inquiry also found that although NFPMs generate enough revenue to sustain themselves, profits generated are not ring-fenced to cater for current and future capital expenditure.” Ratshisusu said HDP or SME market agents find it difficult to grow in the market space where entry is limited and the survival rate is low.
“Retailers should ensure that in addition to unit prices displayed on various fresh produce, that they should also be per kilogramme or gram pricing displayed below the unit prices in their stores.
He added that “access issues” had also been uncovered regarding potatoes. The inquiry alleged that Simba had ensured the early termination of a particular cultivar of potatoes, before expiry of its plant breeder rights, to ensure competitors would not be able to get the seed.