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The average weekly price of potatoes during the first four weeks of 2025 showed a notable downward trajectory, with week five’s price decreasing by 16% relative to week four. As illustrated in Figure 1, which tracks the weekly average price across all markets and potato classes and sizes, the average price in week five stood at R62.17 per 10 kg bag. This represents not only a week-on-week decline but also a year-on-year decrease of R10.34 compared to the corresponding week in 2024, underscoring heightened price volatility and market fluctuations.
Supply and demand
Figure 2 provides insight into the interplay between supply and demand by analysing daily average stock levels and price movements. An average of 572 832 10 kg bags were in stock daily across the country’s fresh produce markets (FPMs) during the first five weeks of 2025. A pronounced contraction in stock levels compared to December and November 2024 exerted upward pressure on prices, reaffirming the price elasticity of potatoes in response to supply-side constraints.
Figure 3 compares monthly sales levels year-on-year, highlighting an 11% increase in sales in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Despite this uptick, cumulative sales volumes in the first five weeks of 2025 remained 1.61 million bags below the five-year average for the same period.
Nonetheless, the total sales volume exceeded 8.3 million 10 kg bags, as shown in Figure 4. The average price for 2025 is also noteworthy, at R26.42 higher than the five-year average.
Monthly sales trends at FPMs, depicted in Figure 5, indicate a marginal month-on-month increase, with January 2025 recording 7.07 million 10 kg bags sold, compared to 7.06 million bags in December 2024. This represents a volume increase of 3 470 10 kg bags, and an 11.27% year-on-year expansion from January 2024, reinforcing sustained consumption trends despite price fluctuations.
Sales at the FPMs
Table 1 outlines the number of bags sold at the various FPMs during the first five weeks of 2025. The five biggest markets during this period were collectively responsible for 82.6% 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 five weeks of the year, Nelspruit Market led with R88.05/10 kg bag followed by Cape Town Market with R87.23/10 kg bag, and Durban Market with R78.62/10 kg bag. In terms of Class 1 (all sizes) sales, Durban, Johannesburg, and Nelspruit Markets’ total sales consisted of 88, 87 and 87% bags, respectively, with Durban 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 2025, with all markets experiencing price appreciation. Springs Market’s price showed the greatest percentage increase of 7.7%. However, Figure 7 highlights a corresponding 7.6% year-on-year decline in sales volume at this market. The volumes sold at Johannesburg Market showed a year-on-year increase of 2.1%.
Regional sales
Sales performance at regional levels, detailed in Figure 8, reveals positive results. The Eastern Free State, North West, Southwestern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Sandveld regions recorded volume growth, while Limpopo experienced a contraction compared to 2024. The three leading regions – Southwestern Free State, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal – collectively accounted for 59% of total national potato sales in the first five 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 Gauteng and North West led in Class 1 sales, with 93 and 86% of their sales falling into this premium category, respectively. Overall, ten of the 16 regions maintained a Class 1 sales ratio above 70%, 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.