Fresh produce markets – choose wisely

Last week, I wrote about how a group of visiting UK potato farmers said that we in South Africa needed to preserve our commission markets system.

UK Marketing agents envy us

Along with several other fresh produce sector colleagues, I recently had the pleasure of addressing a group of visiting UK potato farmers and traders hosted by Potatoes SA.

Carrot root diseases

Your carrot crop is looking good. You can almost hear the money cascading into your bank account. Then you harvest it – and all that profit vanishes.

Eelworms love carrots

By far the biggest carrot pest is the root knot eelworm (Melodogyne spp). In many other vegetable crops, these nematodes are not much of a problem, but in carrots they...

Fresh Produce global round-up

Occasionally, I like to break away from the norm and take a look at the bigger picture of fresh produce trading globally. Here are some snippets gleaned from recent industry...

Successful carrot fertilisation

Carrot fertilisation is very different to fertilisation in other vegetable crops. It’s crucial to understand this when evaluating a soil analysis prior to fertilising.

Markets need commitment

In last week’s column, I lamented the lack of formal training on markets. I was referring to market management and staff, not market agents, as they have a fully-fledged skills...

Deeper roots, better carrots

Given the right conditions, a carrot’s extensive fine feeder roots can reach 3m into the soil. It’s important to know this, as it will change the way you treat both...

Getting your carrot stand correct

Good carrot seed is expensive and it’s therefore important to provide optimal conditions for germination.

Markets training essential

I believe it was Mark Twain who said: “The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” His point was that “training is...

Carrots – who said they must be orange?

The carrot – Daucus carota subspecies sativus – has been used by humankind for thousands of years. The vegetable’s wild ancestors look a lot different though.

Counter-seasonal imports

Walking through my local supermarket the other day, I noticed nectarines selling for R60/kg. The sign did not say where they came from, but my guess was Spain.

Imasa 2013

If you consider the role it has been playing in the fresh produce sector in recent years and its limited resources – both financial and human – then you can’t...

Understand your market

How many farmers load up their truck with fresh produce, dispatch it to the market, and say to themselves: “I’ll leave it up to the agent now. It’s his job...

Growing melons

Melons are more sensitive to disease than most other cucurbits. As the diseases that attack melons are generally associated with rainfall and humidity, the fruit is normally grown in low-rainfall...

Fresh Produce industry – more competitive

In the fresh produce business today, competition among role players has risen to unprecedented levels as individuals and companies all vie for a share of the proverbial pie.

Producing butternuts: Spacing, yield, diseases

The essentials of growing butternuts are similar to those of other cucurbits. Spacing may vary, however, depending on the cultivar. Some butternuts are compact growers, while others produce long runners.

Market agents code of conduct

A Code of Conduct (CoC) ensures stability and purpose within a sector and a measure of confidence for clients. Market agents have a CoC embodied in the constitution of the...

Getting watermelons ready for the market

To obtain high prices on the market, a watermelon grower has to produce fruit that looks good as well as tastes delicious.

Vegetables