In a significant stride towards transforming South Africa’s agricultural landscape, Nile, Africa’s leading online produce marketplace, unveiled its cutting-edge distribution hub in Centurion, Gauteng.
This marks a milestone in the company’s relentless pursuit of efficiency and excellence. The hub, strategically located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, stands as a testament to Nile’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by farmers and reshaping the nation’s fresh produce markets.
World-class cold chain maintenance
Michael Prinsloo, the head of Input Marketplace at Nile, expressed the company’s vision: “We want to shorten the supply chain and not the value chain. So, this facility has four different areas of cold storage facilities and that ensures that the cold chain is always maintained. It’s a major plus for a farmer. This really ensures that there’s no spoilage and we maintain world-class standards in terms of the cold chain maintenance.”
The hub, operational round the clock, can handle up to an impressive 2 500 tonnes of agricultural commodities daily. Functioning as both a cross-dock facility for online produce sales and a staging cold room for retail suppliers, it ensures the seamless flow of produce to 40 towns and cities across 10 countries in Africa.
Nile’s dedication to quality and efficiency is evident in the hub’s infrastructure. Four different temperature zones optimise the cold chain, enhancing the shelf life of fresh produce. The “just in time” system allows producing to be staged for an average of 8 hours before transhipment, ensuring freshness and quality are maintained throughout the journey.
Innovation and dedication
Additionally, the hub’s location in the Samrand Business Park, near major produce packers and processors, provides convenient access for farmers, enhancing the overall efficiency of the supply chain. The park’s modern security services, safe truck parking, and a connected fuel depot, linked to a digital wallet for farmers, further facilitate smooth operations.
Nile’s digital ecosystem plays a pivotal role in this revolution. The company’s proprietary software, designed by a dedicated team of engineers, supports end-to-end fresh produce transactions. Automated delivery notifications, online source documents, and a central payment gateway ensure a secure and efficient customer experience.
Reflecting on the launch, Prinsloo highlighted the company’s dedication: “A lot of midnight oil went into getting ready for launch [day] and we are very excited. We really take pride in doing work that we believe is meaningful and we believe that the work we are doing has the potential of changing agriculture in South Africa, so we’re very excited about that.”
Nile’s rapid growth and innovative approach have garnered widespread support from farmers and fresh produce buyers. The company’s ability to connect farmers directly with wholesalers and consumers in a swift and efficient manner has significantly benefitted the agricultural community.
Agricultural role players taking a tour of the newly launch Nile Ag Agri Hub in Gauteng. Photo: Duncan Masiwa/Food For Mzansi 
Anja Burger, Duncan Masiwa and Michael Prinsloo. Photo: Trevino Hefca/Food For Mzansi 
Nico Vos and Gehard Fick 
Gert Ficher, Karla van der Watt and Dawie Fourie. Photo: Duncan Masiwa/Food For Mzansi 
Leandra Molder, Paul Makube and Evert Louw. Photo: Duncan Masiwa/Food For Mzansi
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