South Africa’s potato market is experiencing a severe downturn as farmers contend with dwindling returns and prices that are now well below cost. The collapse comes on the back of a bumper harvest, expanded plantings, and improved growing conditions across the country.
In recent weeks, per-kilogram prices at fresh produce markets have dropped to between R3.50 and R4, which is about R2 below estimated production costs and nearly 50% lower year on year, according to FreshPlaza.