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The average weekly price of potatoes during the first 31 weeks of 2025 showed a week-on-week decrease of 6%. As illustrated in Figure 1, which tracks the weekly average price across all markets and potato classes and sizes, the average price in week 31 stood at R45.12 per 10 kg bag. This represents not only a week-on-week decrease but also a year-on-year decrease of R37.87 compared to the corresponding week in 2024, underscoring heightened price volatility and market fluctuations.
Stock levels and price trends
Figure 2 illustrates the relationship between supply and demand by analysing daily average stock levels alongside price trends. Typically, elevated stock levels place downward pressure on prices. The average daily stock across South African fresh produce markets was 759 608 bags (10 kg) during the first 31 weeks of 2025. In July, this figure rose to 944 615 bags – 38% higher than the two-year July average of 681 330 bags. Comparable stock levels for this period were last observed in 2022.
Sales volumes and trends
Figure 3 presents a year-on-year comparison of monthly sales volumes, showing a 0.56% decline in July 2025 relative to July 2024. Despite this decrease, cumulative sales for the first 31 weeks of 2025 totalled just over 60.2 million 10 kg bags which is 2.56 million bags below the five-year average for the same period, as shown in Figure 4.
Notably, the average price in 2025 is R11.30 higher than the five-year average. Monthly sales trends at FPMs, depicted in Figure 5, indicate a moderate month-on-month increase, with July 2025 recording 8.4 million 10 kg bags sold, compared to 8 million bags in June 2025. This represents a volume increase of 380 716 bags (10 kg).
This growth reflects the extended presence of producing regions in the market, driven by erratic weather patterns that include both drought and flooding, and disrupted typical marketing cycles of these regions.
Bag sales and averages
Table 1 outlines the number of bags sold at the various FPMs during the first 31 weeks of 2025. The five biggest markets during this period were collectively responsible for 83.6% of the country’s sales, showcasing their pivotal role in the potato supply chain. The average price per 10 kg bag across all classes and sizes is also reflected in Table 1.
In terms of the top average price per 10 kg bag received at the markets during the first 31 weeks, Nelspruit Market led with R74.67/10 kg bag followed by Cape Town Market with R69.67/10 kg bag, and Kei Market with R65.26/10 kg bag. In terms of Class 1 (all sizes) sales, Durban, Johannesburg, and Nelspruit Markets’ total sales consisted of 75, 77 and 87% bags, respectively, with Johannesburg being the highest of the top five markets.
Figure 6 illustrates the year-on-year price change at the top five markets for the first 31 weeks of 2025, with all markets experiencing price increases. Springs Market’s price showed the greatest percentage increase with a price increase of 2.9%. The volumes sold at Johannesburg Market increased by 0.4% year-on-year.
However, Figure 7 highlights a corresponding 6% year-on-year decline in sales volume at this market. The volumes sold at Johannesburg Market increased by 0.4% year-on-year.
Regional performance
Figure 8 indicates sales performance at regional level. KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Free State and Western Free State regions showed a decline in the first 31 weeks of the year. North West, Limpopo and the Sandveld recorded volume growth.
The Eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Free State, North West, Limpopo and the Sandveld collectively accounted for 75% of total national potato sales in the first 31 weeks of 2025, as summarised in Table 2.
The classification of potatoes also varies significantly by region, as shown in Table 2. Regions such as Limpopo, North West and Gauteng led in Class 1 sales, with 81, 81 and 90% of their sales falling into this premium category, respectively. Overall, 11 of the 16 regions maintained a Class 1 sales ratio above 60%, reflecting consistent quality standards across much of the country. – Dikgetho Mokoena and Jodie Hattingh, Potatoes SA
For more information, email Dikgetho Mokoena at dikgetho@potatoes.co.za or Jodie Hattingh at jodie@potatoes.co.za