The past week the average national potato price decreased to R75.03 per 10kg with volumes 39% higher week on week. The large potato price traded lower last week on R82, mediums on R73 and smalls lower on R58 per 10kg. Mondials traded lower on R76, Sifras lower on R81 and Lanormas on R72 with the average price on Joburg dropping to R73.98 per 10kg last week. The average price during August just went above the levels that we saw over the past four years. We also saw daily prices that started to increase which can likely increase further over the next few weeks. It will be interesting to see where these prices are headed now.
The average onion price remained in its downward trend, decreasing by 6% to R55.99 per 10kg with brown onion prices on R53, red onions decreased to R119 while white onion prices decreased to R55 per 10kg. The average large onion price traded on R55, mediums on R63 and smalls lower on R40 per 10kg.
I still think we can follow a similar trend as last year when onion prices came from higher levels in May and June and then continued to decrease towards the end of the year. I therefore think we can move below the R50 mark next month and then stay on a lower level until December.
The tomato price increased by 9% the past week to R11.42 per kilogram with volumes increasing by 31%. Large tomatoes traded on R12.93, Mediums on R11.28 while smalls increased to R10.30. We are seeing a bit more tomatoes on the markets due to the warmer weather which can put some pressure on the price. However, demand is likely to also pick up which can result in the price to stay above the R10 mark for now.
The average carrot price decreased by 11% to R4.62 per kilogram while volumes increased by 39% week on week. Large carrots traded on R5.03, mediums lower on R4.09 and smalls lower on R3.25 per kilogram. We saw the highest volumes this year during August when compared to the previous 4 years, but prices stayed on a relatively high level. I however think that the prices will decrease during September due to higher expected volumes now.
The average pepper price decreased to R17.25 per kilogram while green pepper prices decreased to R13.16, yellow peppers decreased to R13.19 while Red peppers traded 5% lower on R33.10 per kilogram. The average price can get support this week as demand is likely to improve.
The average cabbage price decreased to R4.40 last week but already traded slightly downward this week. We are expecting this price to stay in a downward trend and trade below R3 again towards the end of the year.
Garlic prices increased to R97 per kilogram and is also likely to stay in its downward trend for the rest of this year due to higher expected volumes. The spinach price decreased by 4% last week to R4.61 due to higher volumes. Traditionally we see significantly lower spinach prices in September and October due to higher volumes on the markets, so expect prices to decrease significantly over the next two months.
Sweet potatoes decreased to R7.57 per kilogram and will likely follow potato prices higher over the next few weeks. Expect this price to stay high during October and November and most likely also reach record levels.
The average pumpkin price decreased to R2.61 last week and will most likely also trade higher in September and October but start to decrease in November again as more volumes can enter into the markets then.
