FPEF welcomes black-owned South African company

One of South Africa's black-owned farming and exporting companies, Bono Farm Management, has this week been welcomed as a member of the prestigious Fresh Produce Exporters Forum. Bono received also Fair Trade certification for two Western Cape Grape Farms. Bono is already a certificated Fair Trade exporter.

FPEF members account for approximately 90% of South Africa’s fruit exports. The FPEF is also a member of Fruit South Africa (FSA), together with the country’s four growers’ associations. This position strengthens the FPEF’s role of providing leadership and services to its members, the international buying community and the fresh fruit export industry as a whole.

"I am very happy that we have been accepted as a member of FPEF and we will do our best to positively contribute as a member,” said Malokisa “Evans” Nevondo, founder and Managing Director of Bono Farm Management. "We are grateful for this acceptance as we see this as recognition by our peers of our role in farming and exporting in South Africa, and an endorsement that will assist us open global markets for our harvests. The spin-off in increased profit as a result of more sales in global markets is great news for our farm beneficiaries and the farm workers, guaranteeing their prosperous future."

According to FPEF CEO, Anton Kruger, members of the forum enjoy a high level of credibility globally, due to the strict accreditation criteria and Code of Conduct with which they have to comply. "Bono had to be vetted and endorsed by at least two members to qualify for membership," he said. "I am pleased that they won the members’ vote and will now enjoy the full benefits of membership."

Bono Farm Management, a farm management and exporting company, manages a total of 10 farms in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. "FPEF members benefit from activities such as continually increasing awareness of South African fresh fruit and efforts to gain market access for South African fruit - primarily crops such as Litchis, grapes and citrus," said Mr Nevondo.

Apart from the trade fairs, the FPEF creates opportunities for members to attend events and initiatives initiated by the dti, Wesgro, WC DoA as well as organize trade missions and distribute appropriate information within the industry globally.