The past week the average national potato price increased by 1% to R58.51 per 10kg with volumes 20% lower week on week. The large potato price traded on R66, mediums on R57 and smalls on R41 per 10kg. Mondials traded higher on R59, Sifras lower on R61 and Lanormas on R54 with the average price on Joburg on R58 per 10kg last week.

As mentioned last week, we experienced some of the worst frost in Limpopo ever which will have a severe impact on especially the potato crop over the next two months. Currently it looks like the impact on production and deliveries to the markets will mostly be felt at the start of September with prices that can soar over this period. We believe that because the frost was so severe, that we can expect prices to potentially reach record levels and move closer, or even above, to R120 during this period with market agents also expecting more small potatoes and less large and extra large potatoes.

The tomato price increased by 8% the past week to R9.24 per kilogram with volumes increasing by 30%. Large tomatoes traded on R9.76, Mediums on R9.26 while small increased to R7.74. There were also some reports of frost damage which could support prices over the short term, but we will probably not see major increases with the reported damage not so severe.

As expected, the average carrot price increased to R3.97 per kilogram while large carrots traded on R4.15, mediums on R3.43 and smalls on R4.18. Higher volumes expected from now until October will most likely keep this market under pressure over this period, while higher demand towards the end of the month can result in slightly better prices.

The average onion price decreased to R82.51 per 10kg with brown onion prices still on R81, red onions increased to R203 while white onions decreased to R81 per 10kg. The average large onion price traded on R78, mediums on R88 and smalls lower on R67 per 10kg. We are still expecting this price to continue in this downward trend from here on out as more volumes will continue to put pressure on this market.

The average pepper price decreased to R14.25 per kilogram while green pepper prices decreased to R15.44, yellow peppers decreased to R11.96 while Red peppers traded lower on R10.80 per kilogram. We believe that this price will continue to increase over the next month with the frost in Limpopo that can have an additional upward effect on prices soon.

Looking at other market prices, Cabbage prices increased to R3.44 while Garlic prices increased to R120 per kilogram.

Spinach prices increased to R4.42 while sweet potatoes increased by 28% to R6.02 per kilogram. The latest pumpkin price decreased to R2.76 per kilogram last week.