Potato prices in South Africa have seen a significant jump of 15% on average over the past week, according to industry data. The increase is primarily attributed to severe black frost that damaged crops in Limpopo province, a key potato-producing region.
Potatoes are a staple food in South Africa, alongside maize meal and bread. The country ranks third in Africa for potato production, following Egypt and Algeria. The recent frost has significantly tightened supplies, leading to a sharp rise in prices.
The average price of 10 kilograms of potatoes reached 85.31 rand ($4.80) on Wednesday, up from 74.24 rand a week ago.Prices have been steadily increasing since late July, with particularly steep rises observed in Nelspruit and Cape Town.
Limpopo province typically contributes significantly to potato production during the July-December period. However, the recent frost has dealt a heavy blow to its crop, exacerbating the supply shortage.
While South Africa’s overall food inflation has eased, the potato price surge is likely to have a temporary impact on consumer prices.