Study finds the state of disaster favoured corporate food producers and retailers at the expense of informal sector
The results season for JSE-listed food producers is under way. Picture: THINKSTOCK
The regulations also prevented fishers from setting out to sea and selling their catches at fair prices and blocked access to markets for small-scale farmers. This deprived poor consumers of a crucial source of cheap, nutritious food. It highlights that while the agricultural sector grew 13% in the first year of Covid-19 — the only sector growing amid a 7% contraction of the broader economy — many small-scale producers faced collapse.
This resulted in unintended consequences in the form of unsellable surpluses, food wastage and lost incomes among the country’s small-scale farmers, 80,000 small-scale fishers and fish processors, and 750,000 street traders selling food. The report points out that the pandemic response presupposed that salaried workers would stay at home while business owners would obtain business relief — a presumption that ignored the actual experiences of those making a living in the informal sector, including food producers and traders. This led to vast unintended but foreseeable consequences in the form of unsellable surpluses, food wastage and lost incomes.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Young Stunna on his ‘father and son-like’ relationship with Kabza De Small'A lot would have gone wrong if I didn't listen to him,' Young Stunna said.
Read more »
Don’t ignore small parties, they are the kingmakersWe saw big players come cap-in-hand to smaller ones, begging them to partner for coalitions.
Read more »
LISTEN | Study finds vaccine sentiment is trending downwardsIt is now widely understood that receiving the Covid-19 vaccine is the most successful measure to combat the disease and set world economies back on a growth path.
Read more »
Food: how Covid created a feast for the big guys and famine for the little onesIt left big food producers laughing all the way to the bank, while small farmers, fishers and traders suffered, says study
Read more »
PETER LITTLE: What’s up and what’s down in major economies as the pandemic liftsUnpacking the lingering effect of Covid-19 lockdowns on jobs, travel and retail sales
Read more »
Reserve Bank faces rates dilemma after producer price uptickAnnual producer price inflation for September rose more than expected
Read more »