FRESH PRODUCE MARKET INQUIRY TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK

FRESH PRODUCE MARKET INQUIRY TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK

• 23 March 2023
• Trade, Industry & Competition
• SA Legal Academy

The Competition Commission has issued a media statement on its fresh produce market inquiry, which will begin on 31 March 2023. The inquiry will focus on five fruits (apples, citrus, bananas, pears and table grapes) and six vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes and spinach). Together, they account for ‘at least 70%’ of market production and sales in South Africa  and are therefore deemed ‘representative of the fresh produce value chain’.

In a separate media statement, newly appointed inquiry chair, Deputy Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu, referred to three areas of focus:

• fresh produce markets
• the ‘market dynamics of key inputs and their impact on producers’ (in this regard, Ratshisusu mentioned finance/credit, fertilisers, seeds, agrochemicals and water), and
• barriers facing small and medium enterprises, as well as producers from historically disadvantaged communities (apparently including ‘discriminatory practices’).

More information can be found in the following documents:

• Competition Commission media statement
• statement from market inquiry chair, Hardin Ratshisusu
• terms of reference
• statement of issues

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

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