In the vegetable market, the average national potato price spiked and increased by 21% to R107.04 per 10kg the past week bag due to 27% lower volumes. The latest price is 198% higher than a year ago while volumes are 44% lower. We also saw these high prices on the Nile platform with the average class 1 large-medium Mondial price increasing to between R120 and R125 per 10kg bag. Extremely low volumes from the northern production areas are putting severe pressure on supply on the markets.

Tomato prices decreased by 16% to R6.61 per kilogram mostly due to volumes increasing by 1% the past week. The expectation is that the prices can continue in an upward trend this week, but then possibly decrease again towards the middle parts of October.

The national average carrot price decreased by 10% to R3.62 per kilogram last week while the class 1 large price traded lower on R46.50 per 10kg bag on Nile.ag. I think that we can see slightly better prices this week with demand likely to increase as most people will receive salaries.

Onion prices came under severe pressure, decreasing to R56.83 per 10kg bag, which is 21% lower week on week and 33% lower than a year ago. Last year this time we really saw onion prices increasing sharply on the back of lower supply. The brown class 1 large medium price on Nile.ag also decreased and traded between R55 and R60 per 10kg bag.

The average pepper price decreased by 20% to R18.73 per kilogram which was mostly driven by lower demand.  Cabbages remained on extremely low levels of R2.25, Garlic stayed on a higher level and traded on R78.32, Spinach decreased to R2.16 while sweet potato prices increased to R8.94 last week. There is a severe shortage of sweet potatoes currently with volumes 58% lower than a year ago, resulting in prices to trade 234% higher compared to this time last year. The Pumpkin price decreased to R9.21 per kilogram, but is still 134% higher than a year ago.