The Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation with more than 150 members, accounting for about 90% of fresh fruit exported from South Africa. The FPEF is also a member of Fruit South Africa, together with the country’s main growers’ associations. This position strengthens the FPEF’s role of providing leadership and services to its members, the international buying community and the fresh produce export industry as a whole.

 

FPEF members consist of fruit and vegetable exporters, producer-exporters, export and marketing agents, pack houses, logistics and other service providers. Whilst membership is voluntary and open to all South African fresh produce export companies and industry service providers, strict accreditation criteria and a Code of Conduct apply to ensure that only competent and reliable marketing agents and grower-exporters are accepted as members of the Forum.

 

The FPEF is registered with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) as the official Fresh Produce Export Council in South Africa. This enables the FPEF to raise funds for the export industry to ensure participation in major international trade fairs, such as Fruit Logistica Berlin and Asia Fruit Logistica. The annual FPEF Export Directory is distributed during such events to help raise awareness of South African fresh produce.