Weekly Vegetable Market Overview | 16 January 2025

 by Student in Agricultural Insight, Fresh Produce, Vegetable Market, Weekly Market Overview Leave a Comment

As expected, the average national potato price fell to R77.63 per 10kg, marking a 12% decrease compared to the previous week. Last week, large potatoes traded at R94, mediums at R73, and smalls at R48 per 10kg. Variety-wise, Mondials dropped to R82, while Sifras decreased to R76 per 10kg. Lower prices were driven by more volumes coming into the markets with a 42% weekly increase reported. Limpopo is still receiving lots of rain, which is resulting in slightly lower volumes coming to the markets as usual. But despite lower volumes, expect prices to dip this week as the schools start and demand is likely to decrease. Quality coming out of Petrusburg and Vryburg looks good while the Eastern Free State is likely to enter the market at the end of the month.

 

The average onion price spiked to R44.42 per 10kg last week, now 10% higher than a year ago while volumes are still 9% higher year-on-year. Brown onions increased to R46, red onions to R47, and white onions to R47 per 10kg. Large onions traded lower at R41, mediums higher at R46, and smalls at R42 per 10kg. We seem to be at a turning point, with prices likely to improve toward late February. As mentioned last week, the lower prices seen in recent months could also lead to fewer onions being planted this year, which might drive onion prices higher later in 2025.

 

Tomato prices fell by 13% last week to an average of R8.58 per kilogram, now 14% lower than a year ago. Large tomatoes traded at R9.94, mediums at R8.62, and smalls at R7.55. Heavy rainfall in major production areas over the past few weeks has severely affected tomato quality and the shelve life. The market still reflects a dual pricing structure, with lower-quality tomatoes driving down the average price, while premium-quality is still getting higher prices. Expect the price to stay low now due to more low quality tomatoes entering into the markets. But, this can also result in a shortage later in the year, so just keep that in mind.

 

Carrot prices dropped by 13% last week, averaging on R5.47 per kilogram. Large carrots traded at R5.75, mediums at R4.63, and smalls at R3 per kilogram. Usually we see a dip in prices this time of the year when demand takes a knock, but with the high rainfall over the past few weeks, we can see an increase in prices due to lower volumes.

 

As expected, the average pepper price dropped sharply last week to R11.92 per kilogram. The drop is a combination of higher volumes and lower demand over this time of the year. Green peppers traded lower at R8.83, yellow peppers at R15.24, and red peppers at R16.32 per kilogram. Expect a light recovery towards the end of the month, however the general trend points to prices staying closer to the R10 mark until June.

 

Cabbage prices dropped by 10% to R3.18 per kilogram, while the average garlic price increased to R49.06 per kilogram. Local produced garlic traded at R39.61 with imported garlic now on R80.88 per kilogram. Spinach prices also dropped to R2.87 per kilogram. In contrast, sweet potato prices jumped by 113% to R10.61 per kilogram, which is now closer to the levels seen a year ago. Pumpkin prices increased to R3.35, butternuts climbed to R3.63, green beans dropped to R19.44, and cucumbers decreased to R9.16 per kilogram.

 

For a deeper dive into these and other market insights, be sure to download our latest reports—available for FREE at amtrends.co.za.

StudentWeekly Vegetable Market Overview | 16 January 2025

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