GLOBAL MINOR USE SUMMIT IV

PANEL

AN EVOLVING GROWER COMMUNITY : ADAPTING TO NEW TRADE AND CONSUMER CHALLENGES

​

Elrita Venter

AgriEdge NPC – Consultant & Pomegranate Farmer

South Africa

Pomegranate

1 000 Ha

Passionfruit 200 Ha

Kiwi fruit

350 Ha

Fig

200 Ha

Blueberries

3 000 Ha

Persimmon

200 Ha

MINOR FRUIT CROPS - SOUTH AFRICA

WHY MINOR (NEW, SPECIALTY..) CROPS?

ADVANTAGES

1. Higher Profit Margins: Specialty crops often command higher prices in the market compared to commodity crops. With rising production costs in SA – producers are searching for niche markets where consumers wil pay a premium for unique, high-quality products.
2. Market Demand: There is specific growing niche market demand for specialty crops due to health trends, cultural preferences, or culinary interests. Capitalizing on these demands can be profitable.
3. Diversification: Specialty crop production allows farmers to diversify their product, reducing dependency on a single crop and extending the production window throughout the year to optimise farm productivity and potentially spreading out risks associated with market fluctuations or crop failures.
4. Value-Adding Opportunities: Some speciality crops such as pomegranate, offer opportunities for value addition, which can further enhance profitability.

​

CHALLENGES

1. Market Volatility: Specialty crop markets can be more volatile and subject to fluctuations in consumer preferences, weather conditions, and global market forces, which may impact profitability.
2. Labor Intensiveness: Certain specialty crops require more labor-intensive cultivation practices, harvesting, and handling compared to commodity crops, which can increase production costs.
3. Specialized Knowledge and Expertise: Growing specialty crops specific knowledge, skills which can pose challenges for farmers who are new to these crops: Not always Informed & prepared
4. Production Risks: Specialty crops might be more susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental conditions, leading to dependence on effective crop protection - Chemical and alternatives - IPM
5. Market Access: Accessing niche markets and establishing distribution channels for specialty crops can be more challenging compared to commodity crops, especially for small-scale producers. Regulatory limitations, stringent conditions – e.g. irradiation.
6. Distribution to Consumers: Consumer preferences, trends, volumes, fruit quality: Gap in Consumer perception and expectations feedback to producer

PRODUCTION RISKS: CHEMICAL ACTIVES

​

• SA Nat. Dept Agriculture - Incentive for new chemical formulation applications for registration in SA – fast-track

​

​

• Aim to work towards position – where chemicals are not the first and only response to pest management…. We strive towards more holistic practices in thr form of an effective IPM solution
• Cultural control
• Biological control & bio products
• Chemical control RR chemicals…
• Host resistance

​

• Limited number registered for use on minor crops – e.g. only Fludioxonil for pomegranate post-harvest.
• Multinational ag-chem companies – not viable business option
• Real risk exits of resistance developing in pests & diseases.(if only few options available – over usage)

​

• Resistance against use of chemical actives… (and perceptions)
• cost and time implications involved in researching and implementing alternatives, especially in balancing economic, food safety and quarantine priorities ) are high

​

​

​

CHALLENGES

MARKET ACCESS

• MRL’s

​

• Differ from country to country
• 3^rd party retailers: Required MRL value differ (less) from Codex - the risk of applying lower chemical concentrations than prescribed by the label may lead to pest resistance.
• Global GAP certification – only allowed to use chemical actives registered in the country of production.

CHALLENGES

COMMUNICATION/TRANSPARENCY�

RETAIL

PRODUCER

EXPORTER

CONSUMER

Enhance knowledge, ownership, involvement & responsibility in value chain

From linear to circular !

• Disconnect of communication and ownership from retailers and consumers in the fresh fruit value chain.
• Producers feel that demands keep escalating – while not strong enough partnership in finding solutions or at least working towards the best solutions.
• Producers need more reliable market research re consumer preferences – Volumes, trends, and perceptions….
• (Consumer perceptions: Do consumers know it’s not only about food safety (too high MRL’s) but also about controlling organisms pathogenic to humans (Listeria, etc) and mycotoxin-producing organisms(Penicillium spp.) and controlling quarantine pests & diseases? ) Balance????
• Involvement in food safety R&D: Not only producers and governments involved, but also regulators, retailers and consumers, etc.
• Ideal for minor crop producers – Move from a position of constantly being re-active regarding food safety - to a more pro-active status

​

​

CHALLENGES (Producer perceptions?)

CONCLUSION

1. Research and Innovation: Experience a need for Specialized Knowledge and Expertise in cultivation practices minor crops.
2. Education and Training: Specialty crops might be more susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental conditions like climate change, leading to dependence on effective crop protection - Appropriate IPM practices, not only chemical and but also Bio, cultural, host resistance.
3. Collaboration and Support: Market access and establishing distribution channels for specialty crops can be more challenging compared to commodity crops, especially for small-scale producers : Need to revisit MRL limitations, stringent import conditions – e.g. irradiation.
4. Communication: Retailers & Consumers: Need transparency on retailer and consumer preferences, trends, volumes, fruit quality, perceptions and prices: Especially for minor crops – need to move from a linear to circular value chain, increasing ownership from retailers and consumers (Innovation!)

​