Potato market day at the Kei Fresh Produce Market

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The Eyoluntu Project, based at the Kei Fresh Produce Market (FPM), hosted a potato market day on 30 January this year for the farming community of Mthatha and surrounding areas. I attended the market day together with Takalani Sikhau, junior project officer at Potatoes SA.

Strengthening market access

The purpose of the day was to share knowledge and information with producers regarding market access and technical potato knowledge, as well as introduce them to different market access channels where they could sell their potatoes. Market access plays an important role in successful potato production, as it is related to accessing better prices, directly affects profitability, and reduces waste at farm level due to having an offtake.

Meli Ndabokutya of the Eyoluntu Project took the group on a tour of the packhouse located at the Kei Market in Mthatha, where he demonstrated the washing, sorting, and packaging process to the group.

For many attendees it was the first time seeing a packhouse and washline machine in operation, which became the highlight of the day.

I shared information on some of the programmes Potatoes SA offers, as well as market strategies that producers can adopt to improve their sales. Ndabokutya emphasised the importance of conducting market research before planting, to ensure there is a confirmed offtake for their potatoes. Practical tips were given on how to care (harvest, wash, and dry) and store potatoes to ensure that they are sold at a good quality and price.

Opportunities and challenges

Among the speakers was German agribusiness expert Eberhard Otting, who highlighted the potential for growth in the Eastern Cape’s potato production. He encouraged producers to take advantage of these opportunities.

Representatives from local Spar and Steers franchises were also present. They shared information on the requirements for supplying formal retail markets. The requirements set by formal retailers, including washing, sorting, grading and packaging, can be addressed through the use of the wash-line machine located at the Kei FPM. While this addresses some of the concerns producers have regarding supplying the formal retail sector, the challenge of transporting potatoes from the farm to the packhouse, along with the associated costs, remains a hurdle.

Research shows that a lack of information is one of the key barriers to market access for smallholder producers. Market days such as this play an important role in overcoming that barrier by sharing information on production, providing technical assistance, and identifying profitable markets for producers. – Sheila Makgato, Potatoes SA

For more information, send an email to sheila@potatoes.co.za.