Fresh produce markets outlook – what about food security?

Markets are important parts of infrastructure in major towns and cities. These must be well-managed to draw clientele and service the producer with excellence. (Pics: Fresh Plaza)

Areport was given by Francois Knowles, Registrar at APAC, as of the end of February 2022 that indicates produce sold at markets grew by 6.8% (negative growth of 0.3%). The volume traded in 2020/21 at markets was 3 266 366 metric tonnes of produce (fruit and vegetables). There are factors though that influences a measure of hesitancy by some producers to increase or just keep going, mega farmers need to go back to the drawing board to accommodate the increased fuel prices and the exacerbated fertilizer cost. A major concern, however, is the general infrastructure that is not being serviced by local and state governmental bodies. Poor road conditions in country areas where farmers have to transport their produce to markets are in a dilapidated state with potholes and road surfaces washed away or simply just obliterated because of absent maintenance.

Infrastructure issues

By way of example; a producer from far out of town needs to transport his tomatoes, cabbage or other delicate vegetables via a road with potholes every few meters; a wheel or axle breaks because of the road condition and the truck stands for hours in the sun. When the product eventually reaches the market it fetches a lower than anticipated price. Never mind when it reaches the retail shelf and it is not sold as it is in an underrated state in the eyes of the consumer. Here government and specifically the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) should sharpen their pencils and make their voices heard at local and national meetings with Public Works, Transport, Minerals and Energy, Labour, and others. Various platforms are used to emphasize land reform, new farmer policies, and financial aid; but if current producers are faced with the obstacles mentioned above, what motivation does it bear to newcomers, even if one gets land free? Everybody in the world is crying out for increased food production, food security, higher vegetative content foods for healthy living, and what more – but how on earth are we going to get the producer to answer to this enormous challenge if we do not give him the infrastructure he direly needs to get his produce to markets?

State of Fresh Produce Markets

Another major obstacle is the lack of local management at markets. Buyers visit markets and the security system, to say the least, is absent as trucks, bakkies and cars are being broken into and thus buyers are endangered. Worse than

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Clean markets with well displayed produce draw buyers, but sadly, poorly managed and rubble on floors and around markets disdain buyers from attending.

7 FRESH PRODUCE MARKETS in order to ensure their products reach consumers in good stead. But that, at the Tshwane market, informal Governmental officials and local officials traders are accumulating around the will have to rethink this most important market fences, selling produce (which situation to avoid a national upheaval are obviously of poor quality and often over poor service delivery while the from undesirable origin) to visitors to public cannot obtain proper foodstuffs the market. The market itself, and even and worse than that, pay such exorbitant other markets in the country in general, prices. is in a dirty, poorly kept, and undermanaged state and offends large buyers Urgent solutions to visit these platforms. The indifference of officials in local According to Knowles, the Cape Town Fresh Produce Market is well-kept and well-managed with infrastructure, roads leading to it, and security in place. Why can one market keep up its infrastructure and not the others? All eyes are turned to local governments municipalities must change towards their local markets, focus on road and security infrastructure to and around fresh produce markets, and put positive labels on these markets to make the public aware of its importance in the food security and supply chain. who have a serious lack of responsibility Job creation, and hereby means to their public (and taxpayers) in employees with thorough training and creating favourable circumstances under keenness to work with foodstuffs in a which foodstuffs are traded. hygienic manner, should be high on the Many local authorities are bankrupt agenda. (and it is general knowledge why) A new look is needed at the farmer’s therefore, the taxes goes for exorbitant needs and this counts for producers of member salaries etc, and the Eskom all foodstuffs from all backgrounds. No accounts cannot be paid; neither can longer can one race be singled out as the water supply systems be maintained having all the advantages; South Africa and therefore the markets suffer, currently has a good mix of farmers the inhabitants of towns suffer as the from different race groups and all of foodstuffs they have to buy (those able these are faced with the same problems to buy) are faced with a lack of variety created by a government that stands or poor quality. indifferent to this most important sector. In some regions in South Africa though, During the Covid pandemic, it was fresh producers are doing everything agriculture that added the biggest figure possible to keep their quality standards to the country’s GDP, and that alone high, even going as far as to repair roads speaks for itself. Isn’t it time we tell the up to the regional roads themselves government; “Put your money where your mouth is?”

Young Farmers Now

In past years many young black farmers coming from banking, IT, business, school, even aviation started small operations to try their hand at agriculture and today they count among South Africa’s foremost young farmers – not because they held a hand out to give them money, but simply they understood to start small, learn hard and cooperate with people who know the farming trade. Now they fly on their own in a manner of speaking. Isn’t this what we need to promote in South Africa taking agriculture and food security forward?

Stop Defragmentation

A famous statesman once said;” Now is the time for all good men to stand together and fight in a war to win.” This is the most appropriate gesture we can make for all South Africans who have food security at heart – not own, personal enrichment. Whether you are propagating seedlings, producing wheat, fruit, or fresh produce, in whichever way and wherever you are and on whatever scale you produce, be prepared to take hands and unite in order to feed South Africa.

Let us get the South African brand back on the billboards of foreign countries, offer employment while also instituting proper training and financial futures for all. JS