![Competition Commission blames the failure of some on the success of others](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1719313862/articles/xg1bg6_9-1719509233405/COMPETITION-COMMISSION-BLAMES-THE-FAILURE-OF-SOME-ON-THE-SUCCESS-OF-OTHERS.jpg)
Dilapidated markets, loadsheddding, undriveable roads, and high health and safety compliance costs have been listed as reasons for the lack of transformation in South Africa's fresh produce industry.
The Competition Commission released its Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) provisional report on the state of the fresh produce industry in mid-June after a 14-month investigation. The purpose was to examine whether competition in the market was being restricted and whether historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) and small-scale producers were being purposely kept off the playing field.
While the report provides recommendations to address identified issues, it lacks concrete solutions to tackle the systemic problems at the root of the issues. Instead, it lists recommendations that largely focus on forcing the inclusion of more players in the market, without detailing how those players will get up and running amid a host of infrastructure challenges.
The report is also being criticised for trying to shift blame to successful farmers and market agents, while acknowledging that all role players are being burdened by a challenging business environment.
TRANSFORMATION
The FPMI showed that less than 1% of the gross value of sales in the national fresh produce markets (NFPMs) comes from smallholders. Not only do new entrants find it difficult to get their produce onto the market, but their survival rates are low. Hardin Ratshisusu, deputy commissioner of the commission, said that the barrier to entry for small-scale producers was high, and that access to financing was challenging since these farmers did not have water rights.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 05, 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 05, 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/J7q7HY0aJ1719512961641/TASTY-NUTRITIOUS-BEANS-COME-IN-MANY-FORMS.jpg)
Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms
Beans originated in Central and South America and have been domesticated for thousands of years
![Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/LEyQ7qNre1719512787875/CAN-PRIVATELY-OWNED-ONE-LOFT-RACES-REVIVE-PIGEON-RACING-IN-SA.jpg)
Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?
In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport's decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive cash prizes, can revive it.
![Managing macadamia production when margins are low](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/-4k5rPEEw1719512547607/MANAGING-MACADAMIA-PRODUCTION-WHEN-MARGINS-ARE-LOW.jpg)
Managing macadamia production when margins are low
Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.
![Lessons on the importance of general herd management](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/h1ezjZW8X1719512195923/LESSONS-ON-THE-IMPORTANCE-OF-GENERAL-HERD-MANAGEMENT.jpg)
Lessons on the importance of general herd management
Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.
![Combating GBV scourge in rural communities](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/X3q3pCuGd1719511998711/COMBATING-GBV-SCOURGE-IN-RURAL-COMMUNITIES.jpg)
Combating GBV scourge in rural communities
A ground-breaking programme is addressing gender-based violence in South Africa's rural communities and empowering young men to fight harmful stereotypes
![The role of One Health in sustainable farming and well-being](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/E5oOJzQ9v1719510075715/THE-ROLE-OF-ONE-HEALTH-IN-SUSTAINABLE-FARMING-AND-WELLBEING.jpg)
The role of One Health in sustainable farming and well-being
A movement strengthening relationships between communities and the land and promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between agriculture, health and the environment is emerging in sustainable farming. Ntokozo Zitha, a PhD student in the Economics Analysis Unit at the Agricultural Research Council, writes.
![Sustainable palm oil production in SA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/OuB4dv5-i1719509841822/SUSTAINABLE-PALM-OIL-PRODUCTION-IN-SA.jpg)
Sustainable palm oil production in SA
Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.
![Western Cape avocado production on the rise](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/ehGYN5Zsd1719509662296/WESTERN-CAPE-AVOCADO-PRODUCTION-ON-THE-RISE.jpg)
Western Cape avocado production on the rise
Avocado production is booming in the Western Cape, and new insights into the industry were shared at a recent grower day
![Top Western Cape young farmer enjoys a challenge](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/jduzd_jX41719509567442/TOP-WESTERN-CAPE-YOUNG-FARMER-ENJOYS-A-CHALLENGE.jpg)
Top Western Cape young farmer enjoys a challenge
Dean Barnard, a farmer from George in the Western Cape, was recently named the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year and will go on to represent the province at the Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.
![Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1744712/owTIaZZ4s1719509447058/GUAVA-ASSOCIATION-EXPECTS-SMALLER-2024-HARVEST.jpg)
Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest
The Guava Producers' Association (GPA) has adjusted its guava production estimate down from 25 200t to 22 500t, making the harvest 16% smaller than the 26 641t harvested last season and the smallest harvest in the past three years.