Platform traders at the Durban Fresh Produce Market will soon be plying their trade from slick, new facilities. new premises are expected to be completed by the end of the year. A bout 50 informal or platform traders will be accommodated. traders currently trade along the loading and offloading platforms and at the entrance to the market, vexing agents by buying from them at reduced prices and then nabbing customers at the entrance to the market.
Location is everything
“The operations at the current location are a major safety risk and urgent intervention was required. The current location impedes the free flow of produce from the sales hall and makes it difficult for buyers to access produce freely,” says Jason Moonsamy, acting director of markets. While some traders are happy to move, others are dragging their heels. “The issue of prime position is extremely relevant but it doesn’t apply to all traders. For obvious reasons, those who are currently strategically located are reluctant to move.” The facility has lock-up stalls and is well positioned for loading and offloading. “The entire facility has very good lighting and is under cover,” says Moonsamy. walkways are 6m wide for the easy movement of produce, while small-scale growers, who trade from a separate location at the market, will remain where they are.
A worthwhile investment
“The new facility will accommodate the platform traders, and an entire bay will be made available to a trading cooperative as well. The cooperative is intended to facilitate the distribution of fresh produce to informal traders,” Moonsamy says. “There is no question that the R15 million investment is worthwhile. These traders are an extremely important component of our business and it was important to provide them with adequate facilities. It is important to note that it is only by default that the traders currently occupy these premises. In the past they traded illegally on the platforms, and in an attempt to regulate trading on the platforms they were provided with cages.” Moonsamy says he was not aware of any plans to move the Durban Fresh Produce Market to Dube TradePort’s agrizone at the planned King Shaka International Airport. – Robyn Joubert
