Last week, in a sunny break to a wet Cape winter, the Southern African fresh produce industry enjoyed a rare moment to meet colleagues from across the region, although producers were fewer in number than previous years and, as noted by an audience member, most shipping lines not in attendance.
FreshPlaza will report on the presentations in more detail over the coming days. View the photo report here.
CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Cathy Burns opened the conference with a homage to the resilience of South African producers and emphasised why fresh produce would become ever more important, with particular reference to its increasingly recognised role in public health.
She is adamant that the fresh produce industry needs to step up and represent its interests at the highest levels, as well as in the spheres of social media to attract a new generation of consumers.
IFPA's chief public policy officer Robert Günther is a firm believer in the efficacy of removing value-added tax from fresh produce - as, he pointed out, South Africa has done many years ago, while many countries in the world still haven't.
Currently there is an average of 7.6% tax placed on fresh produce across the world.
Financial journalist Bruce Whitfield led a panel discussion on the fresh produce industry with incisive and germane questions from an outsider (who did grow up on a farm).
Charl Dubois of Capespan and Paulina Theologou-Criticos of Westfalia during a lively panel discussion (photo: Brent Abrahams)
IFPA's sustainability manager Tamara Muruetagoiena, Westfalia CEO Paulina Theologou-Criticos, Capespan's Charl Dubois and Tommie van Zyl (ZZ2 CEO) made for an interesting panel discussion that rose above the usual platitudes.
During the conference the sun was shining in a Western Cape where the dams are full. Citrus exports are continuing despite recent severe flood damage; several attendants spoke with admiration of the recovery of Citrusdal citrus producers with the assistance of Mouton Citrus.
Imperial Logistics and DP World gave an overview of logistics from a regional perspective while Euromonitor brought the conference up to date with the latest trends among consumers.
IFPA country manager Stephanie van der Walt with Majella van der Arend of Agrijob (photo: Brent Abrahams)
The woman's breakfast on the final day, an event close to the heart of Stephanie van der Walt IFPA country manager, was judged "excellent" and deeply affirming by those who listened to Mbali Nwoko of Green Terrace, Marianna du Plessis of AgriX, Paulina Theologou-Criticos of Westfalia and Cathy Burns talk about their career trajectories.