Latest news with #MpumalangaInternationalFreshProduceMarket
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market misses another deadline: Agriculture announces postponement of launch
The long-awaited launch of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) has been postponed yet again. On Thursday, July 31, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) released a statement announcing that the launch – which was scheduled for the end of July – has been delayed once more. According to Dardlea's provincial spokesperson, Zanele Shabangu, a new official launch date will be communicated once all outstanding regulatory processes have been finalised to ensure that the market can operate in a sustainable and legally compliant manner. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market misses deadline The MIFPM, described by Premier Mandla Ndlovu as the country's first fresh produce market since liberation, was initially announced in November 2018 and was due for completion by September 2020. However, various challenges led to multiple delays. Another deadline – intended as a soft launch – was missed in April. This soft launch was announced by Ndlovu during the State of the Province Address in February. Then, on July 12, he stated that the market would open by the end of the month. 'As part of our commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible governance, the Mpumalanga provincial government wishes to inform the public and all stakeholders that the official launch of the MIFPM, initially planned for July 2025, has been postponed,' said Shabangu. She added that the decision follows the identification of a technical administrative oversight during the final stages of preparation. 'Specifically, the operational-specific by-laws that regulate the day-to-day functioning of the market are still in the process of formal adoption by the relevant municipal structures.' Shabangu said the Certificate of Occupancy is also in the process of being finalised as part of the remaining statutory compliance requirements. While procedural in nature, these elements are essential to ensuring that the market operates in line with all legislative, safety and governance standards. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market officially handed over to departments In the interim, Dardlea will continue with its planned outreach programme, including roadshows and stakeholder engagements. 'These engagements aim to maintain momentum, deepen communication and ensure that farmers and stakeholders are fully informed and prepared for the revised market timeline. 'The provincial government remains fully committed to delivering a safe, functional and transformative fresh produce market that advances agricultural development, food system integration and economic inclusion across Mpumalanga,' Shabangu said.
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga premier forges ties in Longnan, China
The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, and his entourage went on a high-level outbound investment mission to the People's Republic of China to visit the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. From June 14 to 23, Ndlovu led a delegation comprising the MEC for agriculture, Nompumelelo Hlophe; the director-general, Maggie Skhosana; the head of the Department of Agriculture, Cain Chunda; and other senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Treasury. During this high-level mission, Ndlovu signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Longnan Municipality in China. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga premier jets to China for a trade mission A statement released by the Mpumalanga Office of the Premier on Wednesday, June 18, stated that the MoU focuses on industrial collaboration, agricultural co-operation, infrastructure development, cultural and tourism promotion, as well as talent identification and development exchanges, among other areas. This partnership aligns with the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Summit. A focus of agreements signed at a national level is bilateral trade and market access, which seeks to expand and diversify trade between the two countries – including the facilitation of market access for South African agricultural products into China. 'As Mpumalanga we are responding to the vision of our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, when he signed this agreement. Through the MoU we entered into, we are defining a series of action plans and interventions to bring to life the accelerated access of trade to and from Mpumalanga and Longnan Municipality. 'This will be realised through the operationalisation of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) which will benefit, among others, farmers from previously disadvantaged communities and our people,' said Ndlovu. The visit further focused on other economic activities aimed at improving the provincial economy and reducing the unemployment rate. Longnan Municipality's executive vice mayor, Li Rong, said that with the MoU signed, it is hoped this will not only be a beginning, but an expectation to set a new example for the in-depth and solid development of bilateral co-operation. 'Longnan will henceforth be your home in China. The relationship between China and South Africa is not just a win-win situation, but one of complementary advantages to create shared value together. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a 'family + partner' relationship between the two sides,' said Rong. Among other sites, the delegation visited the one million hectare Oliver Orchard – a high-value crop farm that explores opportunities across the agricultural value chain. The farm focuses on research, training, production and the agro-processing of olives for consumption. These include dried and fresh olives, olive oils, olive whisky, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of conditions such as cancer and diabetes. According to Ndlovu, Mpumalanga stands to benefit from such an industry – not only through olive imports, but also by twinning local olive farmers with the Longnan market leader and implementing similar farming and agro-processing methods. 'This initiative has the potential to stimulate agro-entrepreneurship, which will in turn strengthen Mpumalanga's economy while helping to reduce the high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth,' said Ndlovu. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga seals five-year trade deal in China The delegation also visited the Zhejiang University's Integrated Industry-Academia-Research Institute in Tianjin. The institute conducts research across various industries and leads in the prevention, early detection and treatment of chronic illnesses and cancer. 'They use traditional medicine, some of which is plant-based, and also develop modern 'western' medicine. We are also continuing to engage with other businesses in China to explore partnership opportunities,' Ndlovu added. On January 14, Ndlovu undertook the first leg of the mission to China to establish co-operation with major players in the food and logistics industries for the MIFPM, which is not yet operational. Ndlovu announced an April soft launch of the MIFPM during the State of the Province Address in February. Although the launch date was missed, the provincial Department of Agriculture's spokesperson, Zanele Shabangu, said the MIFPM will be launched by the end of July. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga seals five-year trade deal in China
The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Longnan Municipality in China. This is according to a statement released by the Mpumalanga Office of the Premier on Wednesday, June 18. Ndlovu is leading a delegation comprising the MEC for agriculture, Nompumelelo Hlophe; the director general, Maggie Skhosana; the head of the Department of Agriculture, Cain Chunda; and other senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Treasury. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga premier jets to China for a trade mission The MoU focuses on industrial collaboration, agricultural co-operation, infrastructure development, cultural and tourism promotion, as well as talent identification and development exchanges, among other areas. This partnership aligns with the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Summit. Among the agreements is bilateral trade and market access, which seeks to expand and diversify trade between the two countries – including the facilitation of market access for South African agricultural products into China. 'As Mpumalanga we are responding to the vision of our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, when he signed this agreement. Through the MoU we entered into, we are defining a series of action plans and interventions to bring to life the accelerated access of trade to and from Mpumalanga and Longnan Municipality. 'This will be realised through the operationalisation of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market which will benefit, among others, farmers from previously disadvantaged communities and our people,' said Ndlovu. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market misses deadline The visit will further focus on other economic activities aimed at improving the provincial economy and reducing the unemployment rate. Longnan Municipality's executive vice mayor, Li Rong, said that with the MoU signed, it is hoped this will not only be a beginning, but an expectation to set a new example for the in-depth and solid development of bilateral co-operation. 'Longnan will henceforth be your home in China. The relationship between China and South Africa is not just a win-win situation, but one of complementary advantages to create shared value together. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a 'family + partner' relationship between the two sides,' said Rong. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga premier jets to China for a trade mission
The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, is set to return to the People's Republic of China to visit the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for a trade investment mission from June 14 to 23. During this high-level outbound mission, Ndlovu will visit the city of Longnan, renowned for its traditional medicine, mining and olive oil production. He will also tour the Tianshui Inland Port, a model area for modern agricultural development. His visit is geared towards the operationalisation of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM), which is hailed as the first large-scale market infrastructure in the province and is expected to boost international market access. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market officially handed over to departments He will be accompanied by the Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture, rural development and environmental affairs, Nompumelelo Hlophe, and senior officials of the provincial government. On January 14, Ndlovu undertook the first leg of the mission to China to establish co-operation with major players in the food and logistics industries for the MIFPM, which is not yet operational. That trip focused on Tianshui, Longnan and Xiamen, in Gansu and Fujian provinces respectively, to sign bilateral agreements with reputable trade institutions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. While Ndlovu is out of the country, the Mpumalanga MEC for co-operative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, Speed Mashilo, has been sworn in as the acting premier. The deputy judge president of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Judge Takalani Ratshibvumo, administered the swearing-in on Tuesday, June 10. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
