Value Chain Analysis of the Street Food Enterprises in the Rural Towns of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

This study sought to analyse the value chain of foods sold by street food vendors in the Vhembe district town of Limpopo province. Data were collected using mixed methods, including structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. Analyses of the value chain activities and actors were conducted among the stages of street food production. Overall, the enterprise sold commonly consumed street foods such as porridge, chicken, beef, and local vegetables, targeting government employees, school children, and daily town visitors. The value chain analysis showed that street food activity in the Vhembe district included purchasing, storage, production, and consumption. The main actors involved in the value activities of the street food enterprise were inputs suppliers, formal and informal traders, transporters, local authorities, and customers. The profit margin calculation highlighted that street food vendors purchasing inputs from the informal vendors without any added expense could make more profit than using formal traders. Future policy interventions should promote value addition along the food sold in the street, providing cold storage facilities closer to street vendors\' stalls in the towns to encourage continued and safe production. The most prioritised production constraints should be addressed, such as access to finance, government support, and managerial skills.

Challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurs operating in the informal food sector: A post COVID-19 analyses

“…The likelihood that a household will obtain food from informal suppliers increases with household income. This is due to their inconsistent income, frequent storage and refrigeration space shortages, and reliance on taxis or public transportation, all of which reduce the amount of food they can purchase (Mahopo et al, 2023). When the health recommendation is to "stay at home," informal food outlets may have a significant influence due to their widespread distribution throughout low-income settlements (Skinner & Watson, 2021).…”