Characteristics of four rural horticultural markets in the south-eastern low veld of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Fortnightly surveys of Iruit and vegetable marketing at four rural centres representing diverse socio-economic hinterlands of communal (Ngundu), resettlement (Matandamaviri), smallholder irrigation (Rupangwana) and semi-urban (Checheche) areas were done between September 1989 and December 1990. The three most important vegetables marketed were tomato, rape and cabbage while banana, avocado and orange were the dominant fruits. Results showed differences in the type and volume of produce, source of produce, supply and seasonal availability of produce among the marketing centres. Matandamaviri had the lowest economic activity while Rupangwana recorded the most activity. For all centres, except Matandamaviri, stallholders sometimes travelled great distance of up to 300 km in search of fruits and vegetables for sale. The most commonly cited problems included transport difficulties, unreliability and poor quality of produce, and overtrading among the stallholders due to over-supply on the market.