In yearly terms, the price of tomatoes remains on its downward trajectory from the high base seen in 2022.
However, the consensus is that, in general, fresh produce will see higher prices as the year progresses.
These increases are expected to be the result of a combination of factors that include unfavourable weather conditions, rolling blackouts, and civil unrest.
In the case of civil unrest, service delivery protests in Petrusburg in the Free State in early February affected labour in the area, as well as transportation of produce from it.
It is probable that high vegetable prices have contributed to the persistently high food inflation seen in South Africa over the past few months.
CABBAGES
In February, the cabbage price increased by more than 51% month-on-month (m/m), despite a 7,8% increase in volume (see Graph 1). The price was up 85,3% year-on-year (y/y) on the back of a 34,2% drop in volume.
The lower volume in yearly terms was most likely attributible to high temperatures and rolling blackouts, which affected the quality of the crop that could be marketed.
During the first week of February, cabbages traded at an average of R4 513/t across the country’s five main fresh produce markets.
Denne historien er fra Farmer's weekly 3 March 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra Farmer's weekly 3 March 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
