South Africa: How an innovative smaller supplier helped to keep tomatoes on Shoprite shelves
Heavy rains in Limpopo during January and February have caused havoc in the tomato industry in recent weeks - but by diversifying its supply chain, and partnering with innovative suppliers like Red Baron, the Shoprite Group was able to keep tomatoes on its supermarkets’ shelves.
Red Baron is an owner-managed tomato farm that has supplied the Group’s supermarkets for several years, and their ability to keep operating during this year’s shortage has been a boon for the company, which reported record sales in March and April.
A surge in South African tomato prices, after output was hit by wet weather in the main growing areas, is expected to be short-lived, bringing comfort to cash-strapped consumers.