‘Opportunities abound for innovative vegetable farmers’

Vegetables farmers need to identify opportunities to enhance their offering on the market floor if they are to secure higher prices and remain competitive.

Speaking at the Enza Zaden farmers’ day in Komatipoort, Geo van Zyl, managing director of market agents RSA Cape Town, said a farmer’s job was not done once the product had been shipped to the market. “Farmers should visit the market floor to see where the opportunities are and where they can better position their produce to get a better price.”

Referring to the type of packaging used, Van Zyl asked producers to consider whether it caused quality losses en route to market. “Is the packaging what the consumer wants? Does the cooling system of the transport need to be addressed to ensure the produce is still fresh when it arrives at the market?”

He said there was room for improvement in the presentation of vegetables. “Fruit packaging has surpassed vegetables, mostly because these farmers put in extra effort. Vegetables are often not the core focus on the farm, but just an added component, so it is neglected.”

To gain extra advantage on the market floor, Dutch plant breeder Enza Zaden had developed a green pepper variety that stayed green and did not turn yellow when it ripened, he said.

Matome Ramokgopa, general manager of Enza Zanden SA, said seed companies needed to go further than just selling seed and should offer solutions if a particular product did not do well on the market.

Van Zyl said there was great opportunity for vegetable producers in the eastern part of the country to supply the western parts during the winter months.

“The volumes that are sold on these markets are high, so despite the added transport costs it is still worthwhile. The lower available supplies at this time of the year also mean the prices are somewhat higher.” – Lindi Botha

‘ PRODUCERS SHOULD VISIT THE MARKET FLOOR’

LINDI BOTHA ABOVE: The Stay Green sweet pepper has been developed by Dutch company, Enza Zaden, to stay green throughout its life cycle, without turning yellow like most other varieties.