Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province. Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy. This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province.
Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy.
This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Agriculture<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong>’s avocadoes and macadamias are in big demand<br />
throughout the northern hemisphere.<br />
Some of South Africa’s biggest agricultural businesses are located<br />
in <strong>Limpopo</strong>, with the province’s fruit and vegetables<br />
forming a significant portion of the nation’s export offering.<br />
This is particularly the case with regard to avocadoes,<br />
mangoes, tomatoes and macadamia nuts, the last of which is a rapidly<br />
expanding subsector.<br />
About 1 000 new hectares are being planted every year, according<br />
to the Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association<br />
(SAMAC), adding to the existing 19 000 hectares already under<br />
macadamias.<br />
The Kruger National Park was the venue for the 7th International<br />
Macadamia Symposium in August 2015, an indicator of <strong>Limpopo</strong>’s<br />
status. Production of nut-in-shell was nearly 5% up in 2015, at<br />
46 950 tons. About 45% of the previous year’s crop was exported,<br />
mostly to the USA and Europe. Growing conditions are ideal in the<br />
Levubu and Tzaneen districts. Neighbouring Mpumalanga is the<br />
other big macadamia province.<br />
There are about 450 farmers growing the nuts, but this includes<br />
several large farms, some of which have integrated operations in<br />
which the farms supply their own cracking factories. There are 14<br />
cracking factories in South Africa.<br />
The sector employs about 4 500 people, of which 1 500 are<br />
permanent employees.<br />
The macadamia nut has high protein, calcium and potassium<br />
content. Macadamia oil is popular and has a high Omega7 content.<br />
Ground macadamias can be used as a healthy substitute for flour.<br />
Location<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong>’s location gives it a strategic advantage in terms of providing<br />
fresh produce to Gauteng, the densely urbanised economic<br />
centre of South Africa.<br />
Cattle and game ranching occur in the higher and drier areas of<br />
the province, while the lower-lying regions are rich in fruit, tea, citrus<br />
and vegetables. One of the best known products of the region is<br />
Amarula cream liqueur.<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
Investment in citrus is paying<br />
off.<br />
• Two recently reopened<br />
agricultural colleges have<br />
increased enrolment.<br />
• The Mooketsi Market’s<br />
strategic position is<br />
boosting trade in farm<br />
produce.<br />
• <strong>Limpopo</strong> hosted an international<br />
macadamia<br />
symposium in 2015.<br />
• Fish for Iran may be a jobbooster.<br />
Within <strong>Limpopo</strong>, the Mooketsi<br />
Market has used its very central<br />
position to boost trade in farming<br />
produce. Although the town<br />
itself is quite small, the market’s<br />
location north-east of Polokwane<br />
and north of Tzaneen, with access<br />
to the northern reaches of<br />
the province via the R36 and R81<br />
roads, has proved a winner since<br />
it opened in 2014. The market is<br />
owned by ZZ2, FGX (which facilitates<br />
transactions between buyers<br />
and sellers) and the RSA Group<br />
(which holds 30% representative<br />
market share of the fresh produce<br />
market in South Africa).<br />
The <strong>Limpopo</strong> growers from<br />
the Vhembe District in the far<br />
north and the Letaba Valley in<br />
LIMPOPO BUSINESS <strong>2016</strong>/<strong>17</strong><br />
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