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The average weekly price of potatoes during the first 22 weeks of 2025 at South Africa’s fresh produce markets (FPMs) showed a week-on-week decrease of 1%. As illustrated in Figure 1, which tracks the weekly average price across all markets, potato classes and sizes, the average price in week 22 stood at R52.22/10 kg bag. This represents not only a week-on-week decrease but also a year-on-year decrease of R6.19 compared to the corresponding week in 2024, underscoring heightened price volatility and market fluctuations.
Stock levels and price movement
Figure 2 provides insights into the interplay between supply and demand by analysing daily average stock levels and price movements. Generally, higher stock levels exerted downward pressure on prices. On average, there were 697 350 10 kg bags in stock daily across the country’s FPMs during the first 22 weeks of 2025.
Sales trends
Figure 3 compares monthly sales levels year-on-year, highlighting a 24% increase in May 2025 compared to May 2024. Despite this growth, the cumulative sales volume in the first 22 weeks of 2025 remained 3.57 million bags below the five-year average for the same period. Nonetheless, the total sales volume exceeded 41.3 million 10 kg bags, as shown in Figure 4. The average price for 2025 is also noteworthy, at R21.13 higher than the five-year average.
Monthly sales trends at FPMs, depicted in Figure 5, indicate a moderate month-on-month increase with May 2025 recording 10.3 million 10 kg bags sold, compared to 7.4 million bags in April 2025. This represents a volume increase of 1.9 million 10 kg bags and a 24% year-on-year increase from May 2024, underlining sustained consumption trends despite price fluctuations.
Bag sales and averages
Table 1 sets out the number of bags sold at the various FPMs during the first 22 weeks of 2025. The five biggest markets during this period were collectively responsible for 83.4% 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, Nelspruit Market led with R80.63/10 kg bag followed by Cape Town Market with R72.17/10 kg bag, and Durban Market with R67.31/10 kg bag. In terms of Class 1 (all sizes) potatoes, total sales at the Durban, Nelspruit and Johannesburg Markets comprised 77, 80 and 88% 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 22 weeks of 2025, with all markets experiencing price increases. Springs Market’s price showed the greatest percentage increase of 13.2%. However, Figure 7 highlights a corresponding 7.5% year-on-year decline in sales volume at this market. The volumes sold at Johannesburg Market increased by 0.5% year-on-year.
Sales at regional level
Figure 8 indicates sales performance at a regional level. In this regard, the Eastern Free State and Western Free State regions showed a decline in the first 22 weeks of the year.
The North West, Southwestern Free State, Limpopo and Sandveld regions recorded volume growth. The Eastern Free State, Southwestern Free State, Western Free State, North West, Limpopo and Sandveld collectively accounted for 76% of total national potato sales in the first 22 weeks of 2025, as summarised in Table 2.
The classification of potatoes also varied significantly by region, as is shown in Table 2. Regions such as Gauteng and North West led in Class 1 sales, with 90 and 81% of their sales, respectively, falling in this premium category. Overall, 12 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.