Tshwane to fertilise fresh produce market
The City of Tshwane has disputed claims that its fresh produce market is on the brink of collapse.
However, the City said it was working on a turnaround process to re-establish the market to its former glory.
The landmark market, which is turning 102 this year, is deteriorating, according to the Institute for Market Agents of South Africa.
The organisation said this was despite the market being the second largest in South Africa, with an annual turnover of approximately R3 billion.
It makes about R150 million a year for Tshwane in ad valorem commission, but only receives around R3m annually for maintenance, according to the entity.
That represents 0.1% of the market’s turnover and 2% of the municipality’s income generated by the market.
In addition, it said, banana ripening facilities and refrigeration equipment had not been maintained for a decade or more.
“Maintenance that would have cost a couple of hundred thousand rand a year will now lead to repairs costing millions,” said Julian van der Nat, chairperson of the institute.
In a bid to reverse the situation, the institute’s Tshwane branch met the City, Potatoes South Africa, representatives of independent market agencies and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Council.
Read the full story on: IOL.