Supermarkets hit by 'tomato blight'
Monday, December 06, 2010
"We do not have tomatoes," Pick n Pay franchisee, Ruth Krupavaram, confirmed to Business Monitor on Wednesday last week. A shop assistant at Choppies Supermarket said they were having problems with the supply of tomatoes because they bought from suppliers who got their products from South Africa.
The assistant, who did not want to be named, said Choppies was trying its best to support local farmers but was disappointed that the farmers were failing.
The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...