Joburg Market Day focuses on Agro-processing business opportunities, supporting entrepreneurs

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:
The City of Johannesburg in conjunction with a range of partners collaborated to facilitate the Joburg Market Day for Agricultural and Agro-processing sectors. This focused on targeting entrepreneurs and export possibilities for fresh produce. Mia Breytenbach tells us more.

Mia Breytenbach:
The Joburg Market Day aimed to present opportunities for the Agro-processing businesses in Gauteng, by exhibiting entrepreneurs’ market-ready products that will attract potential international market opportunities.

The Day formed part of the City of Joburg’s drive towards supporting entrepreneurs in the agriculture and agro-processing sector.

The Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang highlighted the importance of the Joburg Market in assisting the City of Johannesburg in creating a more conducive environment for the agribusiness sector.

The Member of Mayoral Committee: Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang:

Mia Breytenbach:
The Joburg Market is the largest of the fresh produce markets in the country, by volume and the value of trade. Many farmers products find their way into joburg market and are then distributed into neighbouring municipalities, provinces and neighouring countries and beyond.

Mathang noted that the objective of the city of Johannesburg is to enhance these value chains and create a more conducive environment for the farmers, market agents and agroprocesses to grow their businesses further and further contribute to the growth of the economy.

Mathang also emphasised the need for the country to assert itself on the opportunities for the international trade presented by the global economy.

The Member of Mayoral Committee: Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang:

Mia Breytenbach:
The City of Johannesburg has developed an exporter development programme able to assist enterprises at different stages of readiness for the export market. The products of the entrepreneurs involved in this programme were on display for traders and investors.

Business sectors showcased at the event included fine foods, such as tinned food items and biscuits, beverages, such as wine, juice, milk and water, perishables, such as fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, chees and fresh cut flowers.

Commodities, such as maize, sugar, beans, nuts, as well as fast moving consumer goods were included.

The Member of Mayoral Committee: Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang:

Mia Breytenbach:
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Councillor Parks Tau was the keynote speaker and set the scene by outlining outlining the role of agriculture and agro-processing in the City of Johannesburg and at the Joburg Market.

Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Councillor Parks Tau:
 

Mia Breytenbach:
Tau noted that agriculture and through it agroprocessing is central to the city’s plans as the city’s entrepreneurship development in this area will bring about work opportunities.

For example, the city has more than 4000 agroprocessing companies in the areas of fresh fruit foods, processed foods, fine foods and beverages. The city has also established breakthrough service delivery oriented interventions for businesses in the spirit of getting the basics right, according to Tau.

Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Councillor Parks Tau:
 

Mia Breytenbach:
This particular type of agriculture and agroprocessing would focus on perishable products, such as green vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, fresh milk eggs and poultry, that can be grown within confined spaces within the city. 

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.