As a farmer specialising in fresh produce, it’s crucial to broaden your market reach and enhance your prospects for success in the competitive fresh produce industry. Discovering avenues to enter this market and understanding the essential prerequisites are key factors.
Craig Pillay, the food safety and quality manager at Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, provides valuable insights on these aspects and some tips on how to gain access to these markets.
Apart from the basic economics of supply and demand, Pillay says other factors influence pricing in fresh produce markets.
“Secondary factors do influence the price such as a level of endurance to the grading and packing requirement as per the Agricultural Products Standards Act.”
He also talks about food safety and transport requirements. Johannesburg Fresh Produce market has 14 market agents to choose from and Pillay breaks down how the market agent system works.
Catching up with this week’s #SoilSista
This week, we celebrate #SoilSista Lebogang Muthumvhi embracing her farming roots, and excelling in chicken farming amidst supply challenges. Selected for the Corteva Agriscience programme, she remains resilient, emphasising the importance of women supporting each other for success.
In this episode, Pillay also discusses:
- Why quality, grading and food safety requirements are important;
- The importance of traceability; and
- How transport plays a role in preserving products.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
ALSO READ: Meat classification: An essential guide for livestock farmers
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