Top tips from the Agricultural & Industrial Marketing Company
Five on Friday: Source niche markets advises agriculture industry sage
Miles Donohoe
Posted on:Fri, 08 Aug 2008

Name: Anton Scheepers
Organisation: Agricultural & Industrial Marketing Company
Position: Managing Member

1) GM foods have caused a lot of controversy around the world, what is your view?

We are hugely concerned about GM foods, not just for all the medical reasons, but it compromises our taste buds as well.

2) Given the subsidies in place for Western countries, do you think market access has improved for African farmers? 

The international trading environment changes as the wind blows and is beheld unto the political and lobbying forces of this world.  In the end much is said, but in the fine-print Africa remains compromised. Yes there has been change but much of the movement has been token, rather than of any real economic and commercial substance.

3) With urbanisation increasing, what effect is this having on the agriculture industry in South Africa? 

South African agriculture is hard pressed due to a migration of skills, and the number of healthy motivated individuals moving to the cities. The sad reality is that HIV and AIDS has had a devastating effect on rural populations and coupled with the aged and very young already making up the vast majority of the rural population numbers, the effects are less than desirous. 

4) What kind of prospects and opportunities are there for prospective investors into the industry? 

South African agriculture favours the big multinationals as well as the very brave niche market producers. Personally I believe that with other SADC countries now getting more into commodities, South Africa might just battle. 

I would source myself a niche high return market, serve it well, establish my brand and ensure that my numbers are well taken care of through a highly engineered value chain backed with very well trained pre-farmgate staff.

5) If you could have a farm anywhere in Africa, where would it be?

I would farm tropical fruit (bananas, pineapples, sweet melons and papaya) just outside Nacala in Mozambique and focus on the shoulder seasons in SA, as well as in the bulk markets of Russia and the Middle East.

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