This page deals with that part of the supply chain where the product is packaged for marketing.
“Packaging” can include rigid and flexible plastic containers, cardboard containers, plastic bulk bins, punnets and trays for fruit and vegetables, sachet machines, tinplate pails and cans and other metal containers, polyfoam, polystyrene, as well as the equipment used prepare the product for the market.
A walk along any fresh produce market floor will emphasise the role of packaging in promoting fresh produce. Nothing looks better than a neatly stacked row of pallets boasting an attractive, branded, quality product for sale. (The contrast is brown, unattractive cartons, often bent and buckled, offering inferior quality to the cheap-line buyer).
Labelling legislation came into effect from 2012, governing the use of terms like “free range”, “organic”, “free range” etc. The legislation stems from the Department of Health’s Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs (regulation R146/2010), but detailing and enforcing these protocols is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). Coupled with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), it means that labelling of products will require more thought, accuracy and caution than in the past.
The development of Africa’s handling systems and cold chain potential is vital in promoting intra-Africa trade.
Source: Packaging SA
Contents
Packaging in agriculture
- A major trend in the food industry is to make packaging more environmentally friendly and to increase the rate of recycling.
- Local fresh produce buyers have refined logistics to where produce is packed in the field and stays in that container all the way through to the retailer’s shelf.
- Bulk bins are used, but this is for produce that is intended for juicing.
- Computerisation (bar coding) makes it possible for the producer or purchaser to trace any pallet, bulk bin or carton from the farm to the supermarket throughout the supply chain. For high value products RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Discs) tags are increasingly being used to counter fraud and control inventories.
- Some of the repacking takes place overseas for two reasons: (1) to recheck the quality of the fruit received, and (2) to react quicker to the market demands.
Source: Packaging SA
Read about requirements for Food Business Operators (FBOs) at http://fbo.dalrrd.gov.za. Packhouses are included in this category.
Some notes
A note on wood packaging
The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures Guidelines for regulating wood-packaging material in international trade, ISPM 15, covers wood-packaging material such as pallets, dunnage, crating, packing blocks, drums, cases, loading boards, pallet collars and skids, which can be present in any imported/exported consignments. Treated wood-packaging material should bear the appropriate International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) mark to certify that the wood-packaging material has been subjected to the approved phytosanitary measure.
Recycling and Biodegradable Packaging
- Find information about recycling on the Packaging SA website, www.packagingsa.co.za.
- Find the recycling option at www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za, website of the Polystyrene Association of South Africa.
- Visit the Plastics SA website, www.plasticsinfo.co.za.
- Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa www.rpmasa.org.za
- Biodegradable Future Tel: 076 982 5253 https://biodegradablefuture.com They have developed an additive for plastic that will naturally biodegrade when it ends up in a landfill, ocean or soil
- Good for the Ground www.goodfortheground.co.za environmentally friendly packaging
See also the following:
- Collect-a-can www.collectacan.co.za
- MPact Tel: 011 994 5500 www.mpact.co.za
- PET Recycling Company www.petco.co.za
- Polylefin Recycling Company www.polyco.co.za
- The Glass Recycling Company www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za
Associations involved
- MetPac-South Africa (MetPac-SA) www.metpacsa.org.za Tins, cans etc
- Packaging SA Tel: 012 001 1914 www.packagingsa.co.za
- Packhouse Action Group c/o HORTGRO Tel: 021 870 2900 www.hortgro.co.za
- Plastics SA Tel: 011 314 4021 www.plasticsinfo.co.za
- Polystyrene Association of South Africa Tel: 021 531 0647 www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za
- Produce Marketing Association (PMA) 079 497 1594 www.pma.com/global-pma/south-africa
- Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa Tel: 032 947 1145 www.rpmasa.org.za Responsible Packaging Management is a process that follows the entire lifecycle of a container. Its purpose is to address economic, legal and regulatory concerns associated with container use.
- Witzenburg PALS (Partners in Agri Land Solutions) Tel: 023 316 1191 http://wpals.co.za Value chain projects include pack houses
Training and Research
- Agri Academy SA Tel: 021 880 1276/7 www.agriacademy.co.za
Packaging and packaging requirements is included in the training done on technical market access requirements. - Find the link to the “National Certificate: Fruit Packing and Grading Processes” qualification on the AgriSETA website, www.agriseta.co.za.
- FOODBEV Tel: 011 253 7300 www.foodbev.co.za FoodBev is the Sector Education and Training Authority responsible for facilitating training in the food and beverages manufacturing sector. Packaging operations are included in its learning programmes. Find accredited training providers on the website.
- Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) Tel: 041 379 5599 www.ipsa.org.za The organisation is also a voluntary body focusing on industry professionalism via education. As part of its commitment to education the Institute of Packaging manages a packaging diploma programme and also runs the well known Goldpack and Student Goldpack Awards.
Companies involved
Cold storage
Find the several options dealing with refrigeration at www.supermarket.co.za
- Artica Refrigeration Tel: 087 353 4134 http://arctica.co.za
- Cool Mac Tel: 011 498 0700 www.macscool.co.za
- Echo Coldrooms Tel: 012 803 9490 www.echocoldrooms.co.za
- Emmies Refrigiration Tel: 014 736 6918 www.emmies.co.za
- Energy Partners https://energypartners.co.za
- Polar Africa Tel: 074 172 2312 http://polarafrica.co.za
- Pro Freeze Tel: 051 430 6837 / 523 3510 www.profreeze.co.za
- SunCooler www.suncooler.com
Scales and weighing equipment
- Adam Equipment Tel: 011 974 9745 www.adamequipment.co.za
- Clover Scales Tel: 011 462 3216 www.cloverscales.co.za
- Emfuleni Scales Tel: 016 933 3018 www.skaal.co.za
- ISHIDA South Africa Tel: 011 976 2010 www.ishida.com
- Libra Measuring Instruments Tel: 012 803 2805 www.lmi.co.za
- Plantkor Tel: 060 577 8168
- Richter Scale Tel: 012 386 2060 www.richterscale.co.za
- Scalerite Tel: 011 618 2554 www.scalerite.co.za
- Scaletec SA Tel: 031 564 8755 www.scaletec.co.za
- Uniclox Tel: 011 439 2000 www.uniclox.co.za
- WestWeigh Systems Tel: 011 974 8858 http://westweigh.co.za
General handling systems
- Agrisort Products Tel: 021 981 7062 http://agrisort.com Fruit sorting technologies
- Buckle Packaging & Engineering Tel: 011 613 8024 www.bucklepackaging.co.za
- CCS Logistics http://ccslogistics.co.za
- CHEP www.chep.com Pallets, containers, bins
- DDL Equipment Tel: 011 393 1209 www.ddl.co.za
- Delta West Engineering Tel: 021 001 1611 www.deltawesteng.com
- Dormas (Pty) Limited Tel: 0861 DORMAS www.dormas.co.za Fruit and vegetable handling equipment
- Facet Engineering Tel: 011 769 1168 www.facetengineering.co.za Conveying and processing equipment
- Filmatic Packaging Systems Tel: 021 862 2192 www.filmatic.com
- Flexicon Tel: 041 453 1871 www.flexicon.co.za
- Fruit Sizers & Allied Dave 083 463 4332 www.fruitsizers.co.za Fruit and vegetable packhouse equipment
- Gerber Packaging Tel: 010 001 5222 www.gerberfresh.co.za
- Goldpack Tel: 031 569 4199 www.goldpack.co.za
- Gossamer Structure Tel: 021 851 2464 www.gossamer.co.za
- Ishida South Africa Tel: 011 976 2010 www.ishida.com
- John Gray & Son Tel: 041 453 2151 http://johngray.co.za/agriculture Washing and drying brushes
- Kemtek Imaging Systems Holdings Tel: 011 624 8000 www.kemtek.co.za
- Lab-o-Mat Tel: 051 773 0068 www.labomat.co.za
- Label Pro Industries Tel: 013 758 2329 www.labelpro.co.za
- Label-IT Packaging Tel: 011 708 5899 www.label-it.co.za
- Labelpak Tel: 011 796 7900 www.labelpak.com
- Millchem Tel: 011 974 2255 http://millchem.co.za
- Multivac Southern Africa Tel: 016 340 5800 http://za.multivac.com
- National Packaging Systems KZN Tel: 031 700 2700 www.nationalpackaging.co.za
- Pyrotec Tel: 021 787 9600 https://pyrotec.co.za digital label printing
- Redfern Labels Tel: 021 552 9680 www.redfern.co.za
- Sew-Rite International Tel: 056 212 2868 www.sewrite.co.za
- Signea Systeme Tel: 011 965 0823 www.signea.co.za
- Smart Farming Technologies Tel: 021 555 0293 www.smartfarming.co.za
- Spiroflow Tel: 021 801 0322 www.spiroflow.com
- Tetra Pak South Africa Tel: 011 570 3000 www.tetrapak.com
- Tractors Eastern Cape 042 284 0301 www.ooskaaptrekkers.co.za
- YASKAWA Southern Africa Tel: 011 608 3182 www.motoman.com Robotic automation
Packaging
- ACL (African Connection Logistics) Bulk Packaging Solutions Tel: 011 888 8888 www.acl-sa.com
- AfricanBoxWorks Tel: 011 074 8890 www.africanworks.co.za
- Agpack Tel: 021 872 8651 www.overbergagri.co.za/agpack/
- Agripallet Tel: 011 914 2033 www.afripallet.co.za
- All Size Packaging Tel: 012 252 4453
- Ampa Group Tel: 086 000 2672 www.ampaglas.co.za
- APL Cartons Tel: 023 348 5500 www.apl.co.za
- Azapak Tel: 021 871 1333 www.azapak.co.za
- Bidvest AFCOM Tel: 011 627 0800 www.bidvestafcom.co.za
- Bowler Plastics Tel: 021 704 2223 www.bowler.co.za
- Boxmore Plastics International Tel: 058 624 2200 www.boxmore.co.za
- Buckle Packaging & Engineering Tel: 011 613 8024 www.bucklepackaging.co.za
- Colpak Tel: 021 593 8523 www.colpak.biz
- Consol Tel: 011 874 0000 www.consol.co.za
- Constantia Afripack Tel: 011 234 6841 www.cflex.com
- Corruseal Group Tel: 031 910 9400 www.corruseal.co.za
- Crown Bag Tel: 058 635 1166 / 7 www.crownbag.co.za
- Diversified Paper & Plastics Tel: 021 534 3103 www.divgroup.co.za
- DFM Packaging Solutions Tel: 032 456 2387 www.dfmsa.co.za
- Dow Packaging Tel: 012 361 8112 www.dow.com/en-us/packaging
- Foster Packaging Tel: 021 701 1311 www.fosterpackaging.com
- Fried International Imports Tel: 011 486 4725 www.fii.co.za
- Future Packaging Tel: 011 794 3310 www.futurepack.co.za
- Gerber Packaging Tel: 010 001 5222 www.gerberfresh.co.za
- Good for the Ground Tel: 023 626 1191 www.goodfortheground.co.za
- Green Home Tel: 021 762 6033 https://greenhome.co.za Biodegradable packaging
- Greif South Africa Tel: 031 459 6600 www.greif.co.za
- Gundle Plastics Group Tel: 011 876 6400 www.gundle.co.za
- H&M Packaging Tel: 051 448 1091 http://hmpack.co.za
- Houers Koöperatief Bpk Tel: 015 345 8100 www.houers.co.za
- Huhtamaki South Africa Tel: 011 730 6300 www.huhtamaki.com
- ILIP Packaging Tel: 021 790 2364 www.ilip.it
- International Group of Companies Tel: 012 250 0120 www.internationalgroup.co.za
- KRB Safety and Packaging Tel: 087 260 2351 www.k-r-b.com
- Lab-O-Mat Tel: 051 773 0068 www.labomat.co.za
- LCPA Packaging Southern Africa Tel: 011 615 4169 http://lc-packaging.co.za
- Lowveld Lumber & Pallet Tel: 013 754 9000
- Marefa Tel: 021 862 9944 www.marefa.co.za
- Marsing SA Tel: 011 462 6913 www.marsing-sa.com
- MCG Industries Tel: 011 677 1200 / 1318 www.mcgindustries.com
- Morningdew Farms Tel: 011 613 4267 www.mdf.co.za
- MPact Tel: 011 994 5500 www.mpact.co.za
- MPact Plastic Containers Tel: 0861 672 444 www.mpcsa.co.za
- M-Tech Plastics Tel: 011 801 3000 www.mtech.co.za
- Multiknit Tel: 013 751 2376 www.multiknit.co.za
- Nampak South Africa Tel: 011 719 6300 www.nampak.com
- New Era Packaging Tel: 011 323 1900 www.golden-era.co.za
- Packit Packaging Solutions Tel: 021 511 8780 www.packit.co.za
- Pallet Supply Company Tel: 021 907 2300 www.palletsupply.co.za
- Path Plastics Co Tel: 021 551 9191 www.pathplastics.co.za
- Polyoak Packaging Group Tel: 021 710 9200 www.polyoak.com
- Premier Packaging Tel: 011 397 3532 www.prempack.co.za
- Rand Plastics Tel: 011 626 2630/5 www.randplastics.co.za
- Rebelo Tel: 011 613 7438 www.rebelo.co.za
- Rheem South Africa Tel: 031 910 6900 www.rheem.co.za
- RPC Astrapak Tel: 087 742 0710 www.astrapak.co.za
- SIG Combibloc Obeikan SA Tel: 021 551 3834 www.sig.biz
- SRF Flexipak Tel: 041 406 8700 www.srf.com
- Sunny Packs Tel: 011 878 5920 www.sunnypacks.com
- Tetra Pak South Africa Tel: 011 570 3000 www.tetrapak.com
- TrenStar Tel: 012 676 3300 www.trenstar.co.za
- ULMA Packaging Tel: 011 608 4005/6 www.ulmapackaging.com
- Zibo Containers Tel: 021 905 3050 www.zibo.co.za
Services
- Bottle Printers of SA Tel: 011 466 1390 www.bottleprinters.co.za Printing on bottles
- CCS Logistics http://ccslogistics.co.za Several services including storage, product sorting, transport and shipping
- Coldsure Distribution Services Tel: 016 933 8579 www.coldsure.co.za Refrigerated vehicles
- Flavor Pack Tel: 087 985 1750 www.flavorpack.co.za HACCP factory layout and design
- FRIGAIR Exhibition Tel: 011 579 4940 www.frigairexpo.co.za and www.interactmedia.co.za
- GPB Consulting Tel: 021 852 7811 www.consultgpb.co.za Design of fruit packhouse equipment layout
- J & A Engineering Services Tel: 021 905 0691 www.janda.co.za
- Koos Bouwer Consulting (KBC) http://kbcindustrial.co.za Production planning, operational and supply chain efficiency consultant
- MBB Consulting Engineers www.mbb.co.za Offices countrywide
- Smart Agri Solutions Tel: 083 795 6936 www.smartagrisolutions.com Services and products
Websites and publications
Visit websites mentioned earlier on this page.
- A Handbook of Packaging Technology is a “most valuable information source for the African packaging industry” and is the prescribed text book for students at the Institute of Packaging SA. To order a copy contact the national secretariat at 011 804 1614 or email education [at] ipsa.org.za.
- Find the “Packaging Review” option at www.foodreview.co.za.
- Another publication is Packaging & Print Media. Visit www.packagingmag.co.za.
- Food & Beverage Reporter, which includes Packaging Reporter. See http://fbreporter.co.za.
- Bizcommunity.com put out a weekly retail newsletter which includes a packaging heading. Call 021 680 3500 or visit http://retail.bizcommunity.com.
- Book thirteen of the series Training manuals: cooperatives is called “Packaging, Pricing & Storage”. The books can be viewed at www.dalrrd.gov.za (take the “Resource Centre” option). Also find the Info Pak “Regulating wood packaging material”.
- Ingeo bioplastics offers the food, cosmetics and other industries a new packaging material derived from sugar instead of petroleum. Read about it at www.natureworksllc.com.
Some articles
- Reporter. 2019, December 4. “Plastic packaging should focus on recycling”. Farmer’s Weekly. Available at www.farmersweekly.co.za/opinion/by-invitation/plastic-packaging-should-focus-on-recycling/
- Reporter. 2019, November 19. “First traceable F&B packaging using plant-based polymers launched”. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/178/198074.html
- Reporter. 2019, August 21. “Plastics SA releases plastics recycling figures for 2018”. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/703/194589.html
- Reporter. 2019, February 20. “Five branding and packaging trends R&D managers need to know”. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/178/187608.html
- Reporter. 2018, September 13. “Sustainable packaging solutions needed to reduce food waste, scale up trade in Africa”. Bizcommunity. Available at www.bizcommunity.africa/Article/410/178/181824.html
- Chow, L. 2017, November 29. “Eat This Food Packaging Instead of Throwing It Away”. EcoWatch. Available at https://www.ecowatch.com/edible-food-packaging-seaweed-2513270686.html
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