The average onion price increased sharply to R87.12 per 10kg last week and is now 1% lower compared a year ago. We are still seeing 44% less volumes on the markets than last year this time. The average Brown onion price stayed on R87, red onions increased to R109 while the average white onion price decreased to R91 per 10kg. Large onions traded higher on R94, mediums stayed on R92, and smalls increased to R76 per 10kg. We are still expecting volumes to stay under pressure at least until the end of August and prices that can remain in this upward trend until then. I still think we will see higher prices that last year with less onions likely to come to the markets.

Tomato prices in slightly last week due to 30% lower volumes with the latest national average price 1% higher on R13.42 per kilogram. This price is now 23% lower than a year ago with volumes 30% lower compared to a year ago. Large tomatoes traded at R16.50, mediums at R13.94, and smalls at R12.54. We are expecting the price to maintain higher levels this week due to higher end of month demand, but more volumes and lower demand at the start of next week can start to drive prices downward.

Carrot prices dropped by more than 13% to R10.01 per kilogram but is still 32% higher than a year ago. Large carrots traded at R10.78, mediums at R8.19, and smalls lower on R10.45 per kilogram. We are now expecting more volumes on the markets, which could, coupled with lower demand in May, start to drive prices downward.

The average pepper price decreased by 3% to R16.72 per kilogram. Green peppers traded lower at R9.78, yellow peppers also dropped to R35.55 while red peppers remained sideways at R28.27 per kilogram last week. The average price is still 45% higher than a year ago, with the rain impacting the volumes and quality coming into the market. We are still expecting the price to stay on a lower level during May en June due to more volumes expected.

Cabbage prices jumped by 12% to R3.72 per kilogram, Garlic prices increased by 6% to R67.18 per kilogram with locally produced garlic 43% up on R73.97 and imported garlic actually dropping to R85.42 per kilogram. Spinach prices decreased by 7% to R8.33 per kilogram and is still 91% higher than a year ago. Sweet potato prices decreased by 4% to R7.12, Pumpkin prices decreased by 2% to R3.78, butternuts increased to R5.32, green beans increased by 12% to R16.34 while Cucumber prices jumped by 31% to R22.42 per kilogram.

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