Fresh market for city
The opening of a new fresh produce market in Polokwane recently has breathed new life into the city and its surrounding communities.
POLOKWANE – Situated at the China Mall, the planned Polokwane Fresh Produce Market began in November 2014 with 800 clients and now boasts an impressive number of more than 2 500 buyers making use of what they have to offer.
One of the Polokwane Fresh Produce Market managers, Luan Wentzel, said producers from all over South Africa support the regional markets. He added, however, that there is currently no producers from across the border and in general these producers make out a very small percentage of the local fresh produce trade on any market.
“Although the majority of the product volume is supplied by large commercial farmers, we encourage smaller emerging farmers to support the market, specifically farmers located in the surrounding areas. To date we have received products from around 100 of these farmers, some of whom have become reliable suppliers to the markets. We actively engage with these producers and provide advice in terms of product, packaging, and quality, among others. We also host emerging producer training sessions to educate these producers on the mechanics of a fresh produce market,” Wentzel explained.
He added the market has made a positive impact on the economy and the food security for the community. More product, and a wider range of product available as well as consistent supply on the market, increased not only food security but also the consumers’ choice of product and quality they require. Wentzel said the market provides the community with product at market related prices by eliminating middle men who hike up the price which allows the buyer to get good value at good prices.
Formalised retail stores are large supporters of the regional markets although they make up only a small percentage of buying power, around 5%. The majority of the buying power, around 75%, comes from small shops, hawkers, kiosks and smaller wholesale traders. The remaining 15% consists of feeding schemes (schools, prisons) and a few cross-border buyers (specifically form Mozambique and Zambia).
Wentzel said fresh produce markets invariably create job opportunities around itself with little to no effort from the market itself. “To name specific examples, transport functions, increased taxi activity, porter functions, market staff compliment increase, external food and beverage suppliers among others are all direct results of the market. Furthermore, as more product lines and consistent supply becomes available, market buyers start to increase the size of their own businesses, causing further job opportunities.” He said.
Wentzel said that when it comes to the compliance of the market to the law, all regional markets agencies and agents trading on the respective markets are registered with APAC(agricultural Produce agents council) and have completed the required training courses. The market fall under the same rules, regulations and laws as any other fresh produce market and conducts itself accordingly. Regular APAC stock audits are conducted on the markets.
The market is open daily from 05:00 until 11:00 in the morning.
