The average weekly price of potatoes during the first 22 weeks of 2026 at South Africa’s fresh produce markets (FPMs) showed a week-on-week increase of 4%. Figure 1, which tracks the weekly average price across all markets, potato classes, and sizes, indicates that the average price in week 22 was R44.60 per 10 kg bag. This represents a year-on-year decrease of R7.62 compared to the corresponding week in 2025, 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. Elevated stock levels typically exert downward pressure on prices. The average daily stock across South African FPMs was 869 919 bags (10 kg) during May 2026, representing a year-on-year decrease of 5% compared to the May 2025 average of 918 113 bags (10 kg).
Sales volumes and trends
Figure 3 presents a year-on-year comparison of monthly sales volumes, showing a 5% increase in May 2026 relative to May 2025. Cumulative sales for the first 22 weeks of 2026 totalled 46.4 million 10 kg bags, which is 2 345 143 bags above the five-year average, as shown in Figure 4. Notably, the average price over the first 22 weeks of 2026 is R6.58 lower than the five-year average.
Monthly sales trends at FPMs, depicted in Figure 5, show a month-on-month increase, with May 2026 recording 10.8 million 10 kg bags sold, compared to 8.8 million bags in April 2026. This represents an increase in volume of 1 926 723 bags (10 kg). Sales from January to May increased by a monthly average of 12.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
Bag sales and averages
Table 1 outlines the number of bags sold at the various FPMs during May 2026. The five biggest markets during this period accounted for 82.6% of the country’s sales, underscoring their pivotal role in the potato supply chain. The average price per 10 kg bag in May, across all classes and sizes, is also shown in Table 1, standing at R46.48.
Regarding the top average price per 10 kg bag received at the markets during May, Nelspruit Market led with R57.11 per 10 kg bag, followed by Witbank Market at R53.53 and Cape Town Market at R52.35. Regarding Class 1 (all sizes) sales, the Nelspruit, Durban, and Joburg Markets recorded the highest distribution at 93, 77, and 76%, respectively. Among the top three markets, Durban ranked the highest.
Figure 6 illustrates the year-on-year price changes at the top five markets for May 2026, with all markets showing declines. Cape Town Market’s price showed the largest percentage decline at 33.6%.
Figure 7 highlights the year-on-year percentage change in sales volumes for the top five markets, with Springs Market showing the largest increase at 8%.
Regional performance
Figure 8 illustrates regional sales performance, with the Eastern Free State recording the highest volume of 3.5 million 10 kg bags, reaffirming its position as the market leader in May 2026. The Eastern Free State, Western Free State, and North West regions recorded year-on-year volume growth of 9, 2 and 19%, respectively. These regions, as well as the Northern Cape, collectively accounted for 80% of total national potato sales in May 2026, as summarised in Table 2.
Potato classification also varies significantly by region, as shown in Table 2. Regions such as Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal led in Class 1 sales, with 84, 82 and 81% of their sales falling into this premium category, respectively. Overall, seven of the 14 regions in the market maintained a Class 1 sales ratio above 70%, indicating variability in quality across some regions. – Lebo Tlomatsana and Jodie Hattingh, Potatoes SA
For more information, email Lebo Tlomatsana at lebo@potatoes.co.za