Plenary Session 1: The Evolving Global Marketplace
With globalization and advances in technology, many driving forces are destined to reshape food distribution as we know it today, including: increasing global food demand, an emerging middle class, new delivery methods, and price savvy shoppers. In order to compete, a new dimension of thinking around innovation and its impact is required. This session explores key trends -- both globally and locally -- around consumer purchasing decisions to include digital and mobile technologies, the need for convenience and speed, and the desire for health and wellness.
Plenary Session 2: The 'Wow' Session - Disruptive Technologies Destined to Reshape Fresh Produce
As investments continue to pour into the technology space, companies are focusing their energies on opportunities in the vast agriculture sector. As a result, many exciting, new technologies are available to help enhance safety, infuse health traits, enable new products, and lead to greater seed productivity. This session highlights some of the newest innovations in food and agriculture and explores its impacts on the future of the fresh produce industry. Learn how food safety technology, big data, seed innovations and quality/taste enhancements can position your company to succeed.
Concurrent Sessions Block 1
Global - Programming: Establishing a Sustainable Food Safety Culture
Many companies in the fresh produce industry understand food safety protocols and have some sort of a program in place. However, a food safety program without the presence of a food safety culture can be a recipe for disaster. PMA Chief Science & Technology Officer Bob Whitaker takes an intensive look at the components of a food safety program, and the ingredients for a food safety culture that will help set standards around the safety of food, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), good agricultural practices (GAPs), and quality control of agricultural products at all steps of the processing chain.
Operations - Programming: Water and Energy Optimization
In many parts of Southern Africa, largely arid of semi-arid climate makes agricultural improvements difficult. Challenges related to food production, particularly related to water, are expected to significantly reduce crop productivity. And while agricultural productivity is closely associated with direct and indirect energy inputs, energy development plans rarely take into consideration the present and future energy needs of agriculture. This session highlights the food production challenges and climate change hazards in Southern Africa.
Consumer - Programming: Trends in the Vegetable Sector
- Protea Hirschel, Consultant, Euromonitor, South Africa
Presentation (PDF)
- Marianna Theyse, General Manager, Fresh Produce Importers Association (FPIA) of South Africa, South Africa
Presentation (PDF)
- Martin Kodde, Head Food Chain Engagement, Syngenta International AG, Switzerland
Presentation (PDF)
- Tommie van Zyl, CEO, ZZ2, South Africa
With weather and climatic conditions enabling the country to cultivate a variety of fresh vegetables, South Africa is responding to expanding domestic demand. This demand is derived from the increasing number of middle-class consumers in Southern Africa, along with consumer preferences toward healthy products. This session highlights the key trends that are driving vegetable production globally and in Southern Africa. Learn more about the consumer trends that are driving demand, as well as production and processing technologies that add value.
Concurrent Sessions Block 2
Global - Programming: Global Opportunities Abroad
The development of an increasingly integrated global economy offers unique opportunities for Southern Africa's export market. Stimulated by rising incomes and a growing interest in product variety, freshness, convenience, and year-round availability, the open world market is highly competitive and rapidly changing. This session examines income and consumption trends, two of the major drivers of import demand, within rapidly developing regions such as Asia, India, and Eastern Europe. This session will also provide a case study of successful production and branding partnerships.
Operations - Programming : The ABCs of Successful Internships
- Margi Prueitt, Senior Vice President & Executive Director of PMA Foundation for Industry Talent, Produce Marketing Association, USA
- Jerry Madiba, CEO, AgriSETA, South Africa
- George Nefdt, Manager, Organizational Development, Pannar, South Africa
- Sibongile Antoni, Learning and Development Manager, Woolworths
- Denise Otto, Technical Officer, H.L. Hall & Sons (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
In colleges and universities across Southern Africa, there are students eager for an opportunity to learn all aspects of the fresh produce business. Companies can establish a competitive advantage by developing and supporting internship programs. PMA Foundation for Industry Talent Executive Director Margi Pruett explores the value of sustainable internship programs, and she is joined by a panel of individuals who provide industry, government, and student perspectives on the ABCs of what makes internship programs a success.
Consumer - Programming : Packaging: A Technology, Branding and Marketing Tool
More and more, organizations are using packaging as a marketing tool. Beyond just a vehicle for transporting product, packaging offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate a company’s individuality and commitment to quality. This session explores the latest branding and packaging technologies designed to optimize freshness, protect products during transport, and add value to consumers.
Plenary Session 3: Fresh Opportunities in Africa
Africa is waking up, both to itself and the world. Improved infrastructure, retail modernization, advancements in farm productivity, increased investment, and reduced trading barriers are driving forces into new markets in Africa. The smartest companies are beginning to capitalize on the economic expansion. Modern retail, informal vendors, and traditional wholesale markets will all play a dominant role in fresh produce marketing for decades to come. Partnerships, in particular public-private, will be central to improving the supply chain distribution system. This session explores the opportunities for all sectors – from growers to retailers – to benefit from the growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
Plenary Session 4: Informal Trading and Opportunities for Growth
Moderator: Chris Burgess, Editor in Chief: Landbouweekblad, South Africa
Speaker: Andre Jooste, CEO, Potatoes South Africa
Presentation (PDF)
Panelists:
- Grant Norman, Chairman, Institute of Marketing Agents of South Africa
- Simangele Sekgobela, CEO, Joburg Market (PTY) Ltd, South Africa
- Rosheda Muller, Vice Chair, Informal Traders Coalition of South Africa
- Gavin Hill, Producer, South Africa
Along with modern retail distribution, there is a strong informal economy growing within both urban cities and rural townships across Southern Africa. With a wide range of economic activity, informal trade is increasingly being acknowledged as an important delivery channel of goods to consumers. Few industries have thrived in this informal economy like the fresh produce industry. Andre Josste, CEO of Potatoes South Africa, and a panel of experts explore why this informal economy is important and what is required to build supply chain capabilities within informal business networks.
Plenary Session 5: The Possiblities of Informal Trading Networks: Lessons from Other Sectors
Moderator: Chris Burgess, Editor in Chief: Landbouweekblad, South Africa
Speaker: Rob Stevens, CEO, McCain’s South Africa
Presentation (PDF)
Speaker: Immaculate Zinde, Manager of Product Promotions, Potatoes South Africa
Presentation (PDF)
South Africa’s townships provide fertile ground to increase sales. These townships – both rural and urban – are growing in income levels and responsiveness to marketing messages. This session highlights how a sector outside of fresh produce has used viral and branded marketing through informal trading networks to successfully connect with consumers. Comparisons will be made to the possibilities of generic branding campaigns from within the fresh produce industry.
Plenary Session 6: Retail Revolution
With global retailers establishing a footprint in Southern Africa, competition is intensifying along the supply chain. No longer are supermarkets the preserve of middle and upper income consumers. Opportunities presented by rapid urbanization and mass markets are compelling retailers to aggressively target all urban consumers. This session explores strategies organizations can adopt to respond to the intensifying pressure from consumers who have more power and choice.
