The price of food seems to be ever-increasing. ABSA has released its latest fresh produce market report, which breaks down which veggies are more expensive and – more importantly – why.
Potatoes
Potatoes sold at high prices – up to R120 per 10kg bag for the larger sizes on the Johannesburg market.
Large/medium potatoes were sold for R110 to R115 per 10kg bag, whereas medium potatoes were marketed for R105 to R110 per 10kg bag. The 7kg potatoes in the medium size sold for R90.
Quality has been good, and Limpopo continues to be a good supply, with the season beginning about a month ago.
Not much volume came into the market as some of the crops were damaged due to late winter frost, which has affected the yields.
Cabbage
Cabbage volumes are lower in weekly and monthly terms. Cabbage volumes dropped slightly by 2.5% against the previous week’s decrease of 19.3%. The year-on-year volume decreased by 3.3% in comparison to the previous week’s decrease of 13.5%.
This caused prices to increase slightly to an average price of R1 593 per tonne across the five markets. The price this week increased slightly by 2.5% in comparison to the previous week’s decrease of 6.7%. This week’s year-on-year price decreased by 33.5% compared to the previous week’s decrease of 32.6%.
Onions
Onion volumes this week increased slightly by 3.1% compared to the previous week’s decrease of 24.3%. It decreased by more than 11% month on month. The year-on-year volume increased by 3.5% this week, in comparison to the previous week’s low decrease of 2.3%.
Pricing dropped slightly and the crop sold for an average of R2 749 per tonne across the five main markets. The price this week decreased by 4.5% against the previous week’s decrease of 3%. This week’s year-on-year price decreased by 26.6% compared to the previous week’s decrease of 25.2%.
Tomatoes
In terms of tomatoes, market stakeholders are reporting weak demand, and that volumes dropped slightly due to the southern Lowveld and Limpopo Valley harvest coming to an end. Tomatoes sold between R4 to R8 per 1kg.
Carrots
Carrot volumes on the Cape Town markets saw a substantial year-on-year increase of 119%. The average carrot price across the five main markets, in turn, was R2 306 per tonne.
The overall carrot volume this week increased by a low 3.3% compared to the previous week’s decrease of 16.3%. The year-on-year volume increased by 19.8% this week, against the previous week’s increase of 11.7%.
The price this week decreased slightly by 2.4% against the previous week’s drop of 8.8%. This week’s year-on-year price decreased by 27.4% in comparison to the previous week’s decrease of 29.6%.
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