What Lies Ahead for SA Vegetable Production

Given South Africa’s limping economy, it seems uncertainty is the only certainty for the country’s vegetable sector. However, being prepared for any eventuality can put you on the inside track. Susan Marais reports.

- By Susan Marais

Should I stick it out or pack it in? Should I remain steadfast and wait for my competition to leave the industry? Or has the time finally come for me to move on to something else?

These are questions that South African vegetable farmers are certain to be asking themselves more and more frequently.

In mid-February this year, the International Fresh Produce Association hosted a panel discussion at the Bryanston Country Club in Johannesburg to discuss the future of the Southern African vegetable industry.

According to one of the speakers at the event, CT van der Merwe, CEO of AL3 Boerdery in Limpopo, the vegetable market is unpredictable under normal circumstances, but the COVID-19 pandemic has been a real game-changer. The vegetable component of AL3 consists of potatoes, seed potatoes, onions and butternut squash.

“Fortunately for us, all of our crops are staple foods. Over the past few years, consumers have started substituting more expensive vegetables, such as green pepper, with staples, like butternut.

“The past two years were very good, as the price of potatoes peaked twice during this time.”

While many other vegetable farmers have negative feelings towards the industry and have diversified into fruit production, for example, Van der Merwe does not share their sentiment.