The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) says the Mpumalanga International FoodMarket is now operational and rejects claims by the Democratic Alliance that the facility remains inactive because of government delays.
This is in response to a DA media statement issued on 15 July in which the party announced plans to hold a picket outside the facility, calling for its immediate opening to help address unemployment in the province. The protest was subsequently cancelled following the death of Tersia Marshall, DA member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature.
DA raises concerns over market delays
The market could create more than 600 direct and indirect jobs once fully operational, according to Trudie Grovè-Morgan, DA spokesperson on Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.
In a statement issued in response, DARDLEA says the DA has overlooked the extensive technical, regulatory and operational work undertaken over the past several months to ensure the market is launched on a sustainable, compliant and commercially viable basis.
DARDLEA also notes that the DA has repeatedly referred to the facility as the “Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market”, whereas its official name is the Mpumalanga International FoodMarket. The distinction is important, the department says, because the facility has been designed as South Africa’s first integrated food market, accommodating plant products, processed grains, animal products and aquaculture. The broader offering is intended to attract retailers, wholesalers, processors, exporters, hospitality businesses and the general public.
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Department defends phased commissioning approach
DARDLEA says a project of this scale could not simply be opened through a political announcement. Instead, it adopted a phased commissioning approach to ensure all critical systems are fully operational before commercial activities begin.
These systems include industrial refrigeration, cold storage, security, ICT infrastructure, and food-handling and laboratory facilities. Regulatory inspections, certifications and operational accreditations can only be completed once these systems have been successfully commissioned and tested under live operating conditions.
Cold-chain infrastructure reaches key milestone
The market has now reached its most important milestone, according to DARDLEA, with its cold-chain infrastructure operating optimally following comprehensive testing.
The department says this has already resulted in commercial activity. Since June 2026, the market operator has onboarded its first cold-storage client, Green Farms Nut Co, with products currently being stored at the facility. Negotiations are also at an advanced stage with two other agricultural businesses in Mpumalanga to use the market’s cold-storage services.
These developments demonstrate growing confidence from the agricultural sector, according to DARDLEA, and reflect the province’s investment in strengthening aggregation, storage, trade and export opportunities for a wide range of agricultural commodities.
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Recruitment linked to operational readiness
DARDLEA also rejects suggestions that employment opportunities linked to the market have only emerged because of political pressure. It says recruitment has always formed part of the market’s phased operational roll-out and is being conducted in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour to ensure a transparent, fair and inclusive recruitment process.
The department argues that recruiting staff before the facility has achieved operational stability and secured the necessary regulatory approvals would be irresponsible and inconsistent with good governance.
“Responsible government does not create expectations of employment before the infrastructure is genuinely ready to sustain those jobs.”
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FoodMarket expected to boost agricultural trade and jobs
DARDLEA further suggests that the timing of the DA’s planned protest appears intended to gain political relevance ahead of the next phase of recruitment and commercial expansion.
DARDLEA says it remains committed to developing a world-class food market that will expand market access for farmers, strengthen the provincial economy, create sustainable employment opportunities and contribute to food security. Further operational milestones will be communicated through official channels as implementation progresses.
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