As if the recent petrol price increase did not hurt South Africans enough, a spike in tomato and potato prices will force consumers to reach even deeper into their pockets to afford these veggies.
Market prices for the two commodities have seen a massive spike due to severe rainfall in major producing regions over the past few months and lower volumes available at the markets.
Managing director of agricultural information group Agrimark Trends (AMT), Johnny van der Merwe, explains that the price of tomatoes spiked 21% to R5,40/kg in just one week, reports capetownetc.com.
“The latest tomato price increased by 21% to R5,40/kg last week, which was due to a 19% decrease in supply levels,” Van der Merwe says. “If we continue to have a wetter climate, tomato prices can see significant support next year again,” he adds.
The beloved potato is also in the spotlight after seeing a significant increase in prices. “For a 10kg bag of potatoes, consumers are now paying R41,29, a surge of 39%,” Van der Merwe says.
“When we look into the latest price movements in the vegetable industry, we see the potato prices increasing by 39%, as was expected last week, to R41,29 per 10kg bag. This is mostly due to higher rainfall and lower volumes available on the markets last week.”
Biodiversity theft
The Northern Cape MEC for agriculture, environmental affairs, rural development and land reform, Mase Manopole, will lead a three-day awareness campaign on the illegal collection of wild plant and animal species in the Namakwa district from today (Tuesday, 7 December 2021) until Thursday (9 December 2021).
This awareness campaign comes as result of a recent increase in smuggling of rare and endangered species, which is a major threat to biodiversity in the province.
The Northern Cape is home to a great variety of protected plants and animal species. According to the department, these illegal activities often go hand in hand with organised crime, as syndicates smuggle to international networks.
The MEC will be joined by representatives from SANParks, the South African Police Service’s stock theft and endangered species unit and the national department of fisheries, forestry and the environment. The campaign will take place in Garies, Kamieskroon, Springbok and Steinkopf.
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