The International Fresh Produce Association's conference annually brings together a high concentration of fresh produce stakeholders, and this year was no exception.
Miriam Wolk, chief membership officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, reminded delegates in her state-of-the-industry overview that many of their challenges, for instance inflationary pressure compelling consumers to seek value first and foremost, are not singular to the local industry but a worldwide phenomenon at the moment. She quoted Euromonitor which found that 86% of South Africans polled by them found that everyday items were becoming more expensive .
View the IFPA Southern Africa 2024 conference photo report.
South African fruit import value down by a fifth
In 2023 the export value of South African fruit dipped by 2% to US4.3 billion (393.7 billion euros), she noted in her presentation. However, looking ahead, growth in the export value and volume is expected, she remarked.
The value of fruit imported to South Africa dropped by 20% to US$163 million (149 million euros) as a result of an economy under pressure. Despite consumers pulling in their belts in the midst of unprecedented high vegetable prices, resulting from electricity shortages, rising input costs and weather events, vegetable sales saw an increase of 4% last year to 2.3 million tonnes.
Vegetable exports, the majority within Africa, however, saw a downturn of 7.6% in value during 2023. Many at the conference would at this juncture have been thinking of the border closures by Namibia and Botswana to South African produce - attempts to protect domestic industries - which have become commonplace and which has been termed a "trade war" within South African media.
Miriam Wolk, chief membership officer at the International Fresh Produce Association.
View the IFPA Southern Africa 2024 conference photo report.
Plant based exploration & healthy snacking
Cardinal to every conversation around food production, is the ecological and societal footprint involved in the endeavour. Consumers are best by anxieties and apprehension around the state of the world, Wolk observed, but simultaneously the yearning to connect emotionally with their daily sustenance remains.
Moreover, she pointed out, healthy snacking offers profound growth opportunities for the fresh produce sector, and it dovetails perfectly with the ever-growing awareness of the health benefits of plant-based diets.
"What is more sustainable than fruit, vegetables and flowers?" Wolk put to delegates. "Absolutely nothing." She continued: "Shoppers are looking for an emotional connection to the food that they buy. Nostalgia, rooted in trust, can be a cornerstone to connect with a consumer at a deeper level, and she offered the South African clothier Mr Price, established in 1985, as an example of a local company that has excelled in making that connection while also using their environmental, social and governance (ESG)goals as a tool to protect and strengthen their brand reputation.
The Alliance for Sustainable Packaging of Foods, of which IFPA is a founding member, is one way in which the association enables its members to address their ESG goals.
For more information:
International Fresh Produce Association
www.freshproduce.com