Although the national average potato price stayed on a lower level, it increased slightly due to lower volumes and traded on an average price of R54.18 per 10-kilogram bag. Large potatoes traded higher at R63, mediums at R52, and smalls at R32. Mondials were slightly up to R51 while Sifras came in at R63. The average price for Class 1 potatoes across all sizes was R60.50. Volumes started of with relatively higher carry over stock this week due to the holiday on Monday. We are also expecting demand to stay on a lower level this and maybe next week which can keep prices under pressure especially considering that a lot of production regions are still in the market at the moment.
The lower prices can however result in some producers to send their potatoes to the processing sector, which can keep keep volumes slightly lower this week.
The average onion price decreased to R95.08 per 10 kilograms and is now 1 percent lower than a year ago. Brown onions averaged on R97, red onions increased sharply to R156, and white onions decreased to R91. Large onions traded lower at R101, mediums also on a R101, and smalls at R77. Last year the average price peaked in June at around R93, but the expectation always was that the price can trade higher this year due to more potatoes and less onions. We can therefore expect onion volumes to stay lower in June and prices to remain on these higher levels for now. I however also think that we have seen a peak in prices about two weeks ago and that higher volumes over the next two months can drive prices downward.
Tomato prices decreased by 3 percent to a national average of R13.03 per kilogram. Large tomatoes traded at R14.43, mediums at R13.65, and smalls at R12.30. We expect prices to dip this week due to higher volumes and demand that most likely would not be able to keep up. We expect more Large tomatoes to drive prices down now.
As expected, carrot volumes dipped last week due to the rain, but despite this, carrot prices dipped to R8.40 per kilogram last week with demand that could keep up. Large carrots traded at R9.51, mediums at R6.57, and smalls at R4.81. We still expect supply to the markets to pick up over the next few weeks which can start to drive prices downward and keep it low as we head into July and August.
The average pepper price increased by 1 percent to R19.13 per kilogram. Green peppers came in lower at R13.80, yellow peppers increased to R31.93, and red peppers increased to R29.71. This average price is now 116 percent higher than this time last year, with volumes 18 percent lower year-on-year. Last year the average price only started in climb from July onwards which was due to more Favourable production conditions. This year we expect volumes to stay low and prices to remain on these higher levels until at least August. Pepper prices usually peak in August and September each year.
Cabbage prices decreased by 14 percent to R3.33 per kilogram and is also likely to dip this week. Garlic prices increased by 9 percent to R79.07, with local garlic sharply higher on R86.35 and imported garlic on R84.88. Garlic prices will likely remain on a higher level during June and July and then start trickling downward from August onwards.
Spinach dropped by 4 percent to R5.01 per kilogram with prices that will likely remain around these levels during June, July and August. Sweet potato prices increased by 2 percent to R5.07 last week and can remain around these levels in June as well.
Pumpkin prices increased by 3 percent to R3.38 while butternuts increased by 5 percent to R5.83. Both these prices can trade sideways during June, but will then likely start to increase and peak during September and October.
Green beans increased to R11.81 while cucumbers traded on R22.22 last week.
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