Prompted by concern over the intended closure of Premier Foods’ Fruits Products Western Cape (FPWC) plant in Tulbagh, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) initiated talks aimed at saving the facility.
This enterprise previously belonged to the Rhodes Food Group, but was acquired by Premier earlier this year and has since been trading as FPWC. It processes apricots, peaches and pears.
Approximately 3 000 permanent and seasonal jobs at the plant, in addition to farm workers’ jobs, are in jeopardy.
This closure will not only have a substantial impact on the region’s local economy, but also on the broader agricultural sector in the Western Cape.
The party was informed that employees were issued letters on very short notice to inform them that labour engagement would soon commence. Just one day later, the process of removing equipment from the premises began.
The negative impact of the closure is exacerbated because a plant that prepares juice for the export market will also be closed down.
Three-year supply contracts had been concluded with producers to meet the international market’s demand. Premier Foods indicated, though, that it will not honour these contracts. Consequently, producers will be left with surplus fruit of the 2026/27 season on their hands.
This is after producers have already spent hundreds of thousands on preparing land and orchards for the upcoming harvest in order to keep up their end of the deal. They will inevitably now sit with excess fruit and no way to market it.
It is estimated that new markets will have to be found for between 55 000 and 60 000 tons of fruit. Seeing as it is already late in the season, producers will have to foot the bill for this farce.
The Freedom Front Plus is taking action on two levels: Firstly, the unilateral and reckless decision is unacceptable. The party demands further engagement, without a predetermined outcome of closure.
Secondly, the party is taking the lead in seeking alternative solutions to save the industry from financial ruin.
It is essential to find a solution similar to the one at Langeberg Foods, when 2 500 jobs were at risk due to a possible closure. In that case, the enterprise was saved.
If the facility is closed down, the negative impact will not only be felt in Tulbagh’s immediate vicinity, but even as far as the Langeberg mountains. The Freedom Front Plus is doing everything in its power to prevent that from happening.
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