In the vegetable market, the average national potato price decreased to R76.62 per 10kg bag while the average class 1 large-medium Mondial price still traded between R80 and R85 per 10kg bag on Nile.ag. The price moved below support levels and moved into a downward trend as a result which is mostly driven by higher supply to the markets at the moment. Prices are likely to stay in a downward trend until October.

Tomato prices decreased to R6.97 per kilogram, which is now 49% lower compared to a year ago. Volumes on the other hand increased by 6% week on week and is about 49% higher year on year. These high volumes is a result of the cold fronts over the past month which delayed ripening and deliveries and keeping prices low at the moment.

The national average carrot price increased to R5.10 per kilogram while the large, class 1 price remained on R55 per 10kg on Nile.ag.  I think that carrot prices, which is about 32% higher than last year, can stabilize on these levels for now and gain more momentum closer to December.

Onion prices increased last week by about 6% with the average national price on R84.30 per 10kg bag. On Nile.ag the latest class 1 large-medium brown onion price increased to R85 and R93 per 10kg. We are still expecting this price to decrease until the end of September as volumes will likely continue to increase over this period.

The average pepper price increased to R28.20 per kilogram with the green pepper price higher on R23.07 per kg. Red pepper prices also increased to R26.34 while yellow peppers increased to R39.02 per kilogram. Pepper prices are now 48% higher compared to a year ago with volumes about 25% lower.

Other vegetable prices traded as follows: Cabbages on R2.57, Garlic on R69.43, Spinach on R4.56, pumpkins on R6.54 while sweet potato prices increased to R5.86 last week.