SA's vegetable industry was valued at R30 billion in 2021, and SA was responsible for nearly 95% of the Southern African Customs Union's vegetable production. But SACU governments must maintain open trade commitments and work towards partnership in order to better support farmers, says Sifiso Ntombela.
Vegetable production is crucial for South Africa's agricultural sector, and the development of rural areas. Vegetables are farmed in all provinces, and are popular among subsistence and small-scale farmer, thanks in part to the limited land, labour and machinery required to begin production.
Then there is the availability of formally structured markets – national fresh produce markets, retailers and supermarkets, as well as informal markets like hawkers and bakkie dealers - that make vegetable farming a profitable and attractive farming option for new entrants and resource-constrained farmers.