A SURGE in South African tomato prices, after output was hit by wet weather in the main growing areas, is expected to be short-lived, bringing comfort to cash-strapped consumers.
Tomato prices rose almost 93% and volumes sold fell 33% in the second week of April compared to a year ago amid high demand and waterlogged farmlands in the north of the country, said Dr Marlene Louw, senior economist at Absa AgriBusiness.
“Consumer income is under pressure and the prevailing high prices could have a negative impact on demand over the coming months,” said Louw.
South Africa, which relies on domestic supplies to meet demand, produces around 600,000 tonnes of tomatoes per year.
Philé van Zyl, Director of ZZ2, the country’s largest producer of tomatoes, expects volumes and prices to return to normal in coming weeks as new tomatoes are harvested.
FNB senior agricultural economist Paul Makube said the supply of
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