Increasing the export of local products was a key priority, noted Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde, with events such as the South African Cheese Festival playing a vital role in this regard.

Winde will officially open the 2015 festival in Stellenbosch on Saturday, which this year would focus on innovations in the industry.

In a statement on Thursday he said platforms such as the cheese festival showcased the strength of the industry and provided opportunities for producers to increase their market share.

“It is my hope that one day, Western Cape cheese will be sought after across the globe,” commented Winde, adding that Western Cape cheese was by far his favourite and, judging by its popularity on shopping market shelves, this held true for many South Africans.

Winde also advised that a new project would be introduced this year, ‘Cape Made: Taste the Alternatives’, a partnership between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Agri-Expo, a professional promotion and marketing organisation for the agricultural sector in the Western Cape, to promote alternative products.

“This includes figs, pomegranates and indigenous teas. It’s an excellent platform to promote our local niche markets and influence consumers to try something new and simultaneously, support our local produce.”

The agroprocessing sector was currently worth R12-billion, employed 79 000 people and was poised for lift-off, noted Winde. “With it becoming a provincial game-changer through Project Khulisa, we are focused intensely on growing agroprocessing products from our province in the next five years.”

The Western Cape government had also launched a R6.6-million Cape Capital Fund to support entrepreneurs operating small businesses in the agroprocessing and oil and gas sectors.

The South African Cheese Festival would take place between April 25 and 27 at Sandringham, located between Cape Town and Paarl.