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The average weekly price of potatoes during the first five weeks of 2026 at South Africa’s fresh produce markets (FPMs) showed a week-on-week increase of 1%. Figure 1, which tracks the weekly average price across all markets and potato classes and sizes, shows that the average price in week five stood at R46.21 per 10 kg bag. This represents not only a week-on-week increase but also a year-on-year decrease of R15.96 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 694 346 bags (10 kg) during the first five weeks of 2026, which represents a year-on-year increase of 21% compared to the January 2025 average of 572 832 bags (10 kg).
Sales volumes and trends
Figure 3 presents a year-on-year comparison of monthly sales volumes, showing a 12% increase in January 2026 relative to January 2025.
Despite this increase, cumulative sales for the first five weeks of 2025 totalled 9.3 million 10 kg bags, which is 165 681 bags below the five-year average, as shown in Figure 4.
Notably, the average price in 2026 is R4.84 less than the five-year average.
Monthly sales trends at FPMs, depicted in Figure 5, indicate a month-on-month increase, with January 2026 recording 9.3 million 10 kg bags sold, compared to 8.6 million bags in December 2025. This represents a volume increase of 740 729 bags (10 kg).
Bag sales and averages
Table 1 outlines the number of bags sold at the various FPMs during the first five weeks of 2026. The five biggest markets during this period were collectively responsible for 78.4% 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 shown in Table 1.
In terms of the top average price per 10 kg bag received at the markets during the first five weeks, Kei Market led with R70 per 10 kg bag followed by Nelspruit Market at R60.93 and Cape Town Market at R60.27 per 10 kg bag. In terms of Class 1 (all sizes) sales, Nelspruit, Johannesburg, Durban, and Witbank Markets’ total sales consisted of 90, 84, 77 and 76% bags, respectively, with Johannesburg the highest of the top five markets.
Figure 6 illustrates the year-on-year price change at the top five markets for the first five weeks of 2026, with all markets experiencing price declines. Durban Market’s price showed the greatest percentage decline of 3.6%.
However, Figure 7 highlights a corresponding 21.1% year-on-year increase in sales volumes at this market.
The volumes sold at Cape Town Market increased by a notable 17.6% year-on-year, with higher volumes placing downward pressure on prices.
Regional performance
Figure 8 shows regional sales performance. The Southwestern Free State and Sandveld regions showed a decline in the first five weeks of the year. The Eastern Free State, North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal recorded volume growth.
The Eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Free State, Southwestern Free State, North West, Limpopo and the Sandveld collectively accounted for 80% of total national potato sales in the first five weeks of 2026, as summarised in Table 2.
The classification of potatoes also varies significantly by region, as shown in Table 2. Regions such as Gauteng, North West and Limpopo led in Class 1 sales, with 86, 82 and 82% of their sales falling into this premium category, respectively. Overall, ten of the 13 regions in the market maintained a Class 1 sales ratio above 60%, reflecting consistent quality standards across much of the country. – Jodie Hattingh, Potatoes SA
For more information, email the author at jodie@potatoes.co.za