Agrimark in the Lowveld: From lifestyle to agriculture

Agrimark Matumi still has that fresh, brand-new feel. Anyone visiting Mbombela in Mpumalanga should make a point of stopping by this modern lifestyle and agricultural store at the Matumi Retail Centre. Just down the road in Rocky’s Drift, Agrimark Packaging supports producers with their packaging and agricultural needs.

From the moment customers walk through the doors, they are warmly welcomed and offered a basket or trolley. This is a place where you can really shop. Even if you only planned to browse, chances are you’ll leave with a packet or two in hand.

The extensive clothing range, featuring popular brands such as Salty and Wrangler (yes, the name has made a comeback after many years), is particularly eye-catching. Both summer and winter clothing are available, although in this part of the country it is almost always summer, with the occasional cooler day or evening. A wide selection of modern vellies for both men and women, are available, as well as gumboots and safety boots.

The shelves are packed with household and lifestyle products. The outdoor section is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with everything from convenient coolers, tents and camping chairs to gas braais, two-plate gas stoves, braais and headlamps. There are braai grids in every size imaginable for just about anything you could want to throw onto the coals. Jaffle irons and mini pizza ovens are also available.
The store also has an extensive paint section, while customers with four-legged family members can choose from a wide range of pet food.

New store, new manager

Branch manager Peter Maluleke says the store officially opened its doors on 27 November 2025. Like the store itself, he is also new to Mbombela.

“I’m still getting to know the town, its people and, particularly, the producers in the surrounding area. We have a variety of crops being cultivated here, so we try to meet the unique needs of each producer.”
The Lowveld region is primarily known for the production of citrus, macadamia nuts, avocados and bananas.

“We supply farming essentials such as fertiliser, compost, poles, wire and netting for smaller plantations. Animal health and feed are newer product lines that we have recently introduced. Producers are welcome to visit us for agricultural tools such as fruit clippers and clips used to keep bunches together,” he says.

Peter explains that Agrimark Matumi also showcases a slightly different side of Agrimark. The store has a stronger lifestyle focus than a traditional agricultural store, allowing customers to find everything from gardening and pet products to DIY, outdoor equipment and smaller agricultural supplies all under one roof.

The ever-popular garden section

The store has a large garden section, with potted plants and pots in a variety of sizes. A wide selection of gardening tools makes gardening easier and more enjoyable. Customers can find garden forks, spades, garden hoses, watering cans, insect and weed control products, plant food and much more.

“There’s a retirement village nearby, and the ladies love coming here to get their gardening supplies and smaller potted plants.”

Every customer who walks through the doors has different needs. “We make sure we can quickly meet each customer’s needs, and if we don’t have what they’re looking for, we find a solution.”

Behind the store’s excellent service is a close-knit team of 11 permanent employees who support one another and work together to find solutions. Each team member is trained to assist customers efficiently and ensure that visitors leave with the right product or a practical solution.

It is this teamwork, together with the willingness to always find a way forward, that drives the store’s success.

Agrimark Packaging offers the complete package

Agrimark Packaging in Rocky’s Drift, approximately 15 km from Mbombela in the direction of White River, supplies a range of packaging materials for products including macadamia nuts, avocados, citrus, berries, bananas, granadillas and dragon fruit.

Johan Krügel and his team are doing exceptional work. “The business has expanded significantly over the past year and a half because we are trying to offer the complete package,” he explains.
This includes fertiliser, chemicals, cartons, fruit containers, corner pieces, macadamia bags and more.

“The macadamia industry is enormous in the Lowveld, so we make sure we have a wide range of products available at competitive prices.”

For Johan, good service is paramount. “Our customers no longer have to drive from place to place because they can get everything they need right here with us,” he explains.

Macadamia bags keep nuts fresher for longer

“One of our newest products is a bag in which nuts are packed and sealed before being exported in cardboard boxes. It’s very popular, and we sell around 270,000 macadamia bags per season because they help keep the product fresh for much longer.”

He continues: “When producers hear that we have everything they need, they are eager to place their orders with us. We make sure the entire process runs smoothly. A happy customer is one who comes back for more business,” he says.

According to Johan, trust is of the utmost importance. Sometimes he receives a call on a Saturday from a packhouse that has forgotten to place its order. In such cases, he will open up, load the products and deliver them himself.

To ensure that stock levels remain sufficient, the team generally contacts their producers on Wednesdays and Fridays. This regular communication helps them anticipate demand, meet each producer’s needs in good time and maintain a high level of service.

A helping hand when it matters

Another new service offered by Agrimark Packaging is seasonal accounts. Producers can purchase inputs such as chemicals and packaging materials on account and settle their bills at the end of the season.

Johan explains that the macadamia industry has faced difficult conditions over the past four years due to market uncertainty, which has resulted in lower prices. It is precisely during challenging times like these that the team at Agrimark Packaging extends a helping hand.

Johan’s positive approach has a strong influence on his team. They strive to get things right the first time, saving both time and money.

“You must be proud of who you are and what you do. Here at Agrimark Packaging, we don’t sit around waiting for something to happen – we make it happen. And we make sure we achieve positive results.”