Seasonal changes, local weather and stronger month-end demand are driving sharp price swings on South Africa's fresh produce markets, according to agricultural economist Conce Moraba in the latest GroundRules update from Agricultural Market Trends (AMT). "The next two weeks could be far more supportive for fresh produce prices," she said. "Better demand is arriving while supply is still tight."
Tomatoes made the biggest move of the week, rising 38% to R8.50 a kilogram as market volumes fell 19%. Moraba said production is moving from winter growing areas to summer regions, a handover that regularly leaves a short supply gap, though weaker demand in parts of the informal market and any later rise in supply could quickly cap prices.
Potato buyers struggled to find stock, pushing the average price to R67.19 per 10 kg bag; Sifras averaged R64, Class 1 large Mondials R80 and medium Mondials R71 per 10 kg. With the country between major production regions, the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market sold out early on Monday, and more rain forecast for Limpopo could slow harvesting and transport, so prices are expected to stay firm for two weeks.
Onions remain the commodity to watch. The average price eased slightly to R153.26 per 10 kg but is still 264% higher than a year ago after a 34% fall in supply, the result of wet weather that held back planting. "That shortage now appears to be nearing its end," Moraba said, warning that a strong recovery in volumes could bring prices down quickly.
Among fruit, bananas fell 15% to R9.50 a kilogram on higher volumes, apples (R10.47) and pears (R9.46) held firm towards the festive season, and oranges slipped to R2.39 a kilogram, 53% cheaper than a year ago because of high domestic supply and export quality problems, though a 20% drop in weekly volume suggests a recovery.
The report was published by Food for Mzansi.
Photo: Guinivere Pedro / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Food for Mzansi
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