Record number of attendees for Fresh Connections S. Africa

A record number of attendees gathered in Cape Town, South Africa for the 5th PMA Fresh Connections Southern Africa Conference & Expo on August 12-13. The event, one in a series of PMA international conferences, attracted more than 500 delegates from across southern Africa and the global fresh produce supply chain.

Attendees heard from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, who led a session titled ‘A World of Trade Opportunities’, timed perfectly to address implementation of the recent 10 year renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the primary trade agreement between the U.S. and Africa. Harden also spoke at the PMA Foundation Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast focusing on opportunities for women and youth in agriculture.

The Honorable Senzeni Zokwana, South Africa Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), kicked off the first day of the conference by encouraging delegates to engage with DAFF to grow South Africa’s agriculture sector, especially exports.

The event hosted 30 speakers from across the globe and included companies such as Sam’s Club, Pick ‘n Pay, Sainsbury’s, RSA Group, Sysco, Dole South Africa, Syngenta, Goldman Sachs and the Harvard Business School. Speakers drilled in on a variety of areas currently providing opportunity or challenges across the Africa and global fresh produce supply chain.

A full recap of the education sessions will available on pma.com in the coming weeks. You can find information about the entire series of PMA Fresh Connections events here.

For more information:
Ashley Boucher
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 302-738-7100, ext. 3092
Email: aboucher@pma.com
www.pma.com