The average banana price jumped as was expected and increased by 14% to R10.02 per kilogram or R180 per 18kg box and is now 36% higher than a year ago with the current volumes about 22% lower than a year ago. The expectation is still that the price can increase until the middle of March due to lower volumes expected.

Apple prices dropped by about 6% to R13.78 per kilogram with the local season starting. The pear price dropped by another 7% to R8.59 per kilogram and can bottom out at the end of February. The price is however then likely to stabilize with a slight upward price trend expected from then onwards.

Orange prices decreased by 5% to R21.41 per kilogram and is now 17% higher compared to a year ago. We are expecting prices to drop sharply from here on out as more local volumes will likely force prices down.

As expected, Avo prices dropped by another 5% to R22.58 per kilogram with 22% more volumes traded on the markets. Variety-wise, Fuertes decreased to R26, Hass actually increased to R29 while Pinkertons increased to R17 per kilogram. Fuertes however represent the majority of the avos now and has a larger influence on the average price. Expect avo prices to drop sharply and then most likely stabilize between R10 and R13 at the start of March again.

The average grape price traded 17% higher on R23.39 per kilogram last week, with volumes decreasing by 21% week on week. Compared to last year, we’re still seeing 34% higher prices due to 16% lower volumes reported. We are still expecting prices to stay elevated when compared to a year ago due to lower volumes that is also expected.

Pineapples traded higher at R15.42, lemons dropped to R8.43, while blueberries traded 183% higher at R204.97 per kilogram. I think lemon prices can stay in a downward for now while blueberries can stay in an upward trend from here on out.