The expansion of a key agricultural hub at the heart of KwaZulu-Natal is set to open new doors for small-scale farmers and agripreneurs looking to break into South Africa’s high-value fresh produce market.
Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone is preparing to launch Dube AgriZone 2, an 18-hectare, fully serviced, agriculture-focused development designed to support emerging farmers, small-scale growers, horticulturists and pioneering agripreneurs.
The new phase builds on the existing AgriZone, strengthening its role as a centre for perishable produce production, post-harvest handling and distribution. The aim is to make these services more accessible so that smaller producers can meaningfully participate in global agricultural value chains.
“Last year, produce worth R50.3 million was grown and/or handled within Dube AgriZone. With Dube AgriZone 2, we aim to significantly expand this output while helping small-scale farmers tap into South Africa’s fresh-produce market valued at over R53 billion annually.”
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“Dube TradePort is addressing the real barriers that limit small-scale farmers by providing infrastructure and support services that unlock access to high-value perishables markets.”
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This was said by Nomaxabiso Majokweni, senior manager for investment promotion and facilitation at Dube TradePort.
New infrastructure to boost market access
Across KwaZulu-Natal, many small-scale farmers continue to face structural challenges, including unreliable water supply, poor rural roads, limited cold storage and restricted access to both domestic and export markets.
Located within the precinct of King Shaka International Airport, Dube AgriZone 2 is designed to directly address these constraints by providing access to critical agricultural and logistics infrastructure.
This includes modern internal road networks, warehousing and logistics support, pack-houses and cold-storage facilities, reliable water and electricity supply, an established distribution network supplying major national retailers, and direct access to export markets via the Dube Cargo Terminal.
“Through this new development, we are giving smaller producers a real stake in a global-scale value chain. Investment interest is strong; we have already received multiple proposals, with two agribusiness ventures currently in due diligence. This early momentum demonstrates clear confidence in this new phase,” said Majokweni.
Development-ready sites in Dube AgriZone 2 range from 10 500m² to 30 000m², offering flexible options for investors, agri-processors and growers looking to scale their operations. For investors, the zone offers a combination of serviced land, advanced agricultural infrastructure and strong market connectivity.
For small-scale farmers, the development is positioned as a bridge into high-value markets that have traditionally been difficult to access. For KwaZulu-Natal, it signals a step toward a more inclusive and resilient agricultural economy. Nationally, it adds to South Africa’s growing infrastructure base for high-value perishables, bringing together production, logistics and Special Economic Zone advantages in one integrated system.
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