Four fruit farmers and the Western Cape’s 2022 Prestige Agri award winner have just returned from a market access capacity-building tour to the Netherlands, and attending Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany. The farmers, Andreas Klaase, Belinda Williams, Debrah Theunissen, Liza Ambraal, and agricultural worker Nigel Klaasen, all dubbed the trip as life-changing.
Fruit Logistica is an international trade fair that covers all sectors of the fresh produce business. It showcases the latest innovations, trends, products and services across the entire new produce value chain.
An eye-opening experience
Commenting on her experience, Ambraal from Ceres said as a black, smallholder farmer, Fruit Logistica was an eye-opener for her. “I experienced the world of exports, from the orchard to the shelf, under one roof.”
Meanwhile, Klaase from Clanwilliam, said travelling to Germany was very interesting as he got to experience new adventures that he had never had the opportunity to explore before.
“On my first day, I focused mostly on viewing various stands and engaging with exhibitors to learn new and existing trends in the fresh produce supply chain. I also learnt that so many role players are involved in various stages of the fresh produce supply chain,” he said.
Klaasen, a production manager for Fruitways in Elgin in the Overberg district and the 2022 Western Cape prestige agri-award winner, viewed the tour as a life-changing and informative experience.
Trends and technology
Klaasen said, “It made me realise how competitive the global fresh produce value chain was. I also learnt the significance of improving market share by staying relevant with the latest trends and technology.”
“What also stood out for me was that everything I saw comes from the farm, and that warmed my heart in the cold Berlin weather,” he added.
WC farmers, warriors of hope
According to the Western Cape minister of agriculture, Ivan Meyer, the smallholder farmers and Klaasen are warriors of hope, who inspire the sector, and are hard-working and resourceful.
“The Western Cape is South Africa’s leading exporter of primary agricultural products. The study tour cements our commitment to export growth and job creation in the province as it unlocks further opportunities for Western Cape farmers,” said Meyer.
He added that the four farmers and agricultural workers exemplify the reliance needed to enhance the Western Cape’s business competitiveness, investment, growth, job preservation, job creation, and maintaining and growing export opportunities.
Meanwhile, Londiwe Thabethe, manager of agricultural economic services at the department, said Fruit Logistica in Germany provided an excellent platform to showcase all aspects of the value chain, initiate business deals, and make contacts worldwide.
Solid trading relationship
Thabethe said, “South Africa and Europe have historically solid trade relations, with South Africa gaining market access to the European Union through the European Union Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-SADC EPA).
“The SADC EPA is a development focused trade agreement. It offers more market access because 96% of South African products can be exported to Europe duty and quota-free. In comparison, 3% are subject to a tariff reduction.”
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