More than 500 potential jobs for Western Cape agri sector

Agribusiness investment deals amounting to R350 million have been secured during the first half of the year by the Western Cape government’s international trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro.

According to Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape MEC for agriculture, the agribusiness sector was a key component of the Western Cape’s economy, and had been responsible for the creation of more than 220 700 jobs in the province, while almost 217 000 people were employed in primary agriculture. “This equates to 16,4% of all jobs in the province.”

As a result of the investments, more than 500 direct jobs were expected to be created by four companies: Almond Creamery, Felbridge, Italian Cheese Academy, and the Tomis Group. These companies had signed declarations setting out the investments they were expected to make, along with job creation targets.

Almond Creamery, which produces plant-based milk from nuts, would be investing R20 million and expected to create 20 jobs. Felbridge, a medicinal cannabis cultivator, would be investing R120 million and was expecting to create 150 jobs. Cheese manufacturer Italian Cheese Academy would be investing R10 million and create five jobs. The Tomis Group, a supplier of lamb and beef products, would be investing R200 million, and in turn would create 350 jobs.

Meyer said that despite tough economic times and a crippling drought, Wesgro’s agribusiness investment unit had reached more than half of its target of

R500 million for the year.

“The Western Cape remains open for business, and through hard work and dedication the team continues to attract new opportunities, new investments and more jobs. Also, increasing market access is critical to our endeavours to create more jobs. A 5% increase in agricultural exports will lead to almost 23 000 jobs being created in the Western Cape economy.” – Jeandré van der Walt