This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Fresh Produce Market’s relocation to its current site in City Deep. From humble beginnings, Joburg Market has shown remarkable resilience, growing from a R1.5 million annual turnover to an impressive R11.2 billion in the 2023/24 financial year.
The market’s origins can be traced back to the gold discovery in 1886, which led to the establishment of a fresh produce market in Market Square, central Johannesburg, in 1887. Around 3,000 people gathered to trade fresh produce at the time.
As the city expanded, so did the fresh produce trade. This growth led to the construction of a new facility in Newtown in 1913, where the market achieved an annual turnover of R1.5 million. However, as trading continued to increase, the Newtown premises became too small. Consequently, the City Council decided to build a larger, more modern facility in the City Deep District, with the market relocating there in 1974.
Charles Park, Acting Chief Operations Officer, highlighted Joburg Market’s valuable contribution to the agricultural sector, noting its significant role in promoting food security. “Joburg Market serves approximately 8,000 farmers and 10,000 buyers daily, benefitting communities across South Africa,” said Park.
Joburg Market’s City Deep premises are twice the size of the second-largest market in the country, and it surpasses 17 other local markets in scale. Additionally, Joburg Market supports 150 informal traders at Tshiamo Market, providing a platform for start-up businesses in the fruit and vegetable sector, helping to create employment opportunities for young people.
Trading at the market takes place in three dedicated food hubs: the Fruit Hub, Potato & Onion Hub, and Vegetable Hub, covering a total of 65,000 square metres.
This landmark market is easily accessible from major freeways and is located just 5km south of Johannesburg’s central business district.
Written by Nonhlanhla Mbonambi
23/09/2024
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