The role and position of informal street vendors in the Onderberg district banana value chain

The banana value chain is a key driver of socio-economic development in South Africa, supporting food security, job creation, income generation, and rural development. The Onderberg District, located in the Mpumalanga Province, is one of South Africa's six main banana production areas, contributing 35 per cent of the country's total banana cultivation. As such, street vendors play a crucial role in banana retailing, yet they are systematically excluded from the formal banana value chains.The purpose of this article is to map the informal economy banana value chains in the Onderberg District, emphasising the role of street vendors and documenting their value-adding activities. To achieve this, a combination of data collection tools within a cross-sectional time frame, including surveys and interviews, was employed. A total of 119 street vendors were surveyed, and 11 key informants participated in in-depth interviews. Banana value chains were mapped using functional analysis. The value chain analysis reveals the imbalances and challenges faced by street vendors within the banana market.There is a need to enhance the inclusivity of street vendors at every stage of the banana value chain. As members of vulnerable socio-economic groups, street vendors play a crucial role, particularly in informal markets. Analysing banana value chains in these settings can significantly improve economic livelihoods, especially for women, who are often not compensated for the work they do. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by focusing on street vendors, offering valuable insights for future research, policy development, and practical interventions in similar contexts.