In the fruit market, the average banana price dropped by 12 percent to R7.65 per kilogram, or R138 per 18-kilogram box. My expectation is that banana prices can stay on a lower level over the next three months.

Apple prices dropped by 4 percent to R9.53 per kilogram, while pear prices gained 0.25 percent to R9.06. As expected, Orange prices dropped by 12 percent to R4.13 per kilogram on the back of higher volumes. As more volumes are expected, we anticipate prices to bottom out in June and then remain on a lower level over following two months.

Avocado prices dropped by 6 percent to R15.49 per kilogram, still 17 percent above last year’s levels. Fuertes decreased to R22, while Hass dropped to R11 and Pinkertons traded at R14 per kilogram. We continue to expect a slight upward price trend during June and July and volumes to start dropping from August onward that drive prices higher then.

The average grape price dropped by 2 percent to R49.98 per kilogram. Expect grape prices to increase sharply in June, peak in July and remain on higher level in August due to low volumes on the markets. Pineapples increased by 4 percent to R11.34 and is likely to remain on a lower level in June and bottom out in July. Lemons fell by 9 percent to R4.82 while the average blueberry price decreased by 11% to R93 per kilogram.