The long-awaited Mpumalanga International Food Market (MIF) is now operational, marking a significant development for the province’s agricultural sector, with thousands of jobs expected to emerge as the facility expands its operations.
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu announced the commencement of trading at the R2 billion facility on Tuesday, October 27, accompanied by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Khethiwe Moeketsi.
The market has started receiving deliveries from farmers, with trading activities now under way. The provincial government says the facility is expected to strengthen market access for agricultural producers, stimulate local businesses and create employment across the agricultural value chain.
According to Ndlovu, the market has already created 47 direct jobs. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate approximately 156 additional direct jobs, while a further 4 033 indirect jobs are projected through farming, value addition, logistics and related economic activities.
“To date, 1 153 jobs have also been created through small, medium and micro enterprises benefiting from the Agrofund programme. These enterprises will supply produce to the market, creating further opportunities for local businesses to participate in the agricultural value chain,” said Ndlovu.
He described the facility as the country’s first fresh produce market since liberation and called on farmers throughout Mpumalanga to use it as a platform to reach buyers and expand their businesses.
The market is designed to accommodate a wide range of agricultural commodities, including vegetables, fruits, meat, milk and eggs, providing farmers with an opportunity to bring their produce to a central trading facility.
Moeketsi said the opening addresses one of the longstanding challenges faced by farmers: access to reliable markets for their produce.
“We are delivering on one of our farmers’ longstanding demands: market access. This state-of-the-art facility accommodates a wide range of agricultural commodities, including vegetables, fruits, meat, milk and eggs, creating opportunities for farmers and strengthening the agricultural value chain,” she said.
She urged farmers to take advantage of the facility and encouraged residents to support local producers by buying fresh, locally produced food.
The market is also expected to create opportunities for businesses involved in transportation, packaging, processing and other services associated with moving agricultural products from farms to consumers.
Francois Knowles of the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) said the council had been involved in preparations for the market in line with its statutory responsibility to regulate agricultural produce agents.
Ahead of the market’s opening, APAC engaged with MIF management and prospective agencies on registration requirements and regulatory compliance. A presentation in April focused on agency registration, legal obligations and the readiness of agents intending to operate at the facility.
“Importantly, APAC’s role is not to operate the market or manage the commercial relationship between farmers and buyers. Its role is to regulate the agents who act on behalf of producers and to ensure that those agents operate within the statutory framework established to govern the profession,” said Knowles.
APAC is a statutory body established under Section 2 of the Agricultural Produce Agents Act 12 of 1992 and regulates fresh produce, export and livestock agents.
The market’s commencement of operations follows years of delays since it was first announced in November 2018. The facility was initially scheduled for completion by September 2020, but various challenges resulted in several missed deadlines.
The provincial government has called on farmers and consumers to support the market as it seeks to strengthen agricultural production, expand business participation and create opportunities throughout the province’s food supply chain.
