The supply of potatoes on domestic fresh-produce markets is currently 17% smaller than a year ago. Owing to the Mellet family's passion for perfection and an ideally located farm near Lydenburg (Mashishing), PSP is able to uphold their high standard of superior potato seed production year after year. South Africa has been hit by a potato shortage, which may result in “dramatically” higher prices, the South African Press Association reported, citing a McCain Foods (SA) Ltd. statement. The potato crop productivity average in Africa, Asia and Latin America has increased 44 percent, 25 percent and 71 percent, respectively, within a 30 year-old period. South Africa has been hit by a countrywide potato shortage due to adverse climactic conditions which will affect supply, quality and pricing of frozen potato products. Another 25 per cent price hike is expected this week. The recent price surge has surpassed the previous highs seen at the beginning of 2016, at the height of the drought. Only about a third of the usual plantings in the Koue Bokkeveld (Ceres area) will realise due to water supply constraints, but this is a relatively small area in terms of its contribution to the total crop. As recently as June, the average price was R34.40, according to data from Potatoes SA. The situation is putting tremendous strain on producers in this region. "The continuous adverse weather patterns, particularly the heavy rains early in 2010, resulted in major delays in harvesting," frozen foods manufacturer, McCain Foods (SA) said in a statement on Monday. READ | ‘Slap’ chips could get cheaper thanks to a new deal on potatoes in South Africa. Please click one of the other regions below to switch to another edition. Already the average price of potatoes are slightly higher at the Cape Town fresh produce market than in the interior (R49,55 in Cape Town versus R43,37 at the Johannesburg market per 10kg bag today). This means an increase of 140% in four months. Potato processing is becoming particularly popular in developing countries and French fries are the main product being developed. Farmers in Northern and Western provinces are still facing shortage of Irish Potato seeds and this worsened in the Agricultural Season A that was launched on September 15, 2020. Potato harvests have bounced back after the drought in 2016, which caused a big shortage of potatoes, and pushed up prices. Potato Seed Production (PSP), one of the largest producers of potato mini-tubers in South Africa, has been providing high-quality potato seeds since 1971. The Eastern Cape is equally acutely affected by the drought – the important Kouga Dam currently stands at 9.6%, of which much goes towards citrus orchards which have expanded over the past few years. "The continuous adverse weather patterns, particularly the heavy rains early in 2010, resulted in major delays in harvesting," frozen foods manufacturer, McCain Foods (SA) said in a statement on Monday. For queries, contact us on 0861 426 333 or [email protected] × Validation of your TV Licence was successful Maybe it was seen as spam, please browse some more articles on our site before trying again. The Trust’s goal is to ensure the continuity of skilled employees int… The South African potato industry is under threat due to a surplus of frozen and processed potato products in Europe. Namibia imports more than 70 per cent of the potatoes consumed locally. “Given the low dam level of the Kouga, potato farmers can’t do any planning for the rest of the year. Based on your current location, we selected the North America edition of FreshPlaza.com for you, You are currently in the North America edition of FreshPlaza.com. This month, the average market price of a bag of 10kg potatoes in South Africa (across all classes and markets) reached an eyewatering R83. For 2018, depending on the amount of winter rainfall, fewer hectares of potatoes could be planted in the Sandveld. Potato prices in the period since mid-June have been 46% higher than in the same period last year, says Dr André Jooste, CEO of industry association Potatoes SA. Although South Africa produces over two million tonnes of potatoes per year, only 17 to 20% are processed, mainly as frozen French fries. On average, the water levels of boreholes are still manageable, but for how long? Click here to receive this news directly in your inbox, Commercial Manager | Fresh Produce | Germany, Technical Manager - Fresno or Bakersfield (CA) USA, Head of Horticulture - Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, European Export Sales Manager (Asia Market), Electricians / Irrigation Technicians International Horticultural Projects (USA), Grimmway Farms sold to Indiana investment firm, "Onions are being sold for lower prices than they were bought for". A potato shortage caused by severe winter weather is affecting the production of crisps in South Africa. Northern potatoes will be channelled to the Cape markets, but if volumes from the north are insufficient, there will doubtless be pressure on potato supplies for Cape consumers. FreshPlaza.com. What happens with rainfall from February onwards will be crucial, with normal rainfall equating to normal plantings, while lower rainfall will most probably translate into lower plantings. When COVID-19 closed down restaurants and hotels, potatoes headed toward food service had nowhere to go. Last year there was a decrease of 200ha in potato plantings. Something went wrong with your message. The drought is affecting potato plantings in the southern parts of South Africa. The companies Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring that the countries the potato producers interests and the overall potato industry is served constituted. Jooste believes the main harvest should be relatively unaffected as temperatures stabilised, depending on the cultivar. “If subnormal rainfall realises for the remainder of 2018, the current surface area of almost 700ha could easily halve,” Dr Jooste says. About us; Magazines. The first potato harvests from Limpopo usually land in June and July, with the main harvest coming to the market in August to November. “There are always growers either planting or lifting,” said Van Zyl. This paper describes the South African frozen French fry industry, identifying aspects for improvements for further growth. Fortunately, the drought in the north of the country appears to have been broken and a normal harvest is expected from Limpopo and the Free State. But a surge in temperatures could spell danger for the rest of the season. “Before winter we might lose some more hectares since rivers and dams don’t have enough water. Zimbabwe has been hit by an acute shortage of potatoes which is threatening to collapse potato crisps making firms. As a result of a history of poor harvests, chip maker Simba (Pepsico/Frito-Lay) has adopted an "agricultural turnaround plan"which involves growing potatoes in frost-free areas and increasing storage capacity. The Potato Industry Development Trust (PIDT) was established in 2004 in order to assist students with funding within the agricultural field of study. “A small change in supply can mean a big change in potato prices,” says Jooste. While South Africa already imposed anti-dumping duties on these imports from certain European producers, local producers will have to be diligent in coming months, says Jooste. 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Potatoes South Africa is a non-profit company incorporated under the South African Companies Act No 71 of 2008 whose main objective is to serve, protect and promote the interests of the South African potato industry. Carolize Jansen Tue 9 Jan 2018 South Africa is the only producer of fresh potatoes, a shortage of potatoes is unlikely to take place. “A small change in supply can mean a big change in potato prices,” says Jooste. If you keep getting this message, please enable cookies in your browser. African politics, African business, African sports, health and technology on, also available on VOD africanews.com • The value of potato production is … Potatoes South Africa are focused on serving, promoting and protecting the interests of the potato industry within South Africa. Due to high order volumes, deliveries can be expected within 10-14 working days. Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hypoxis rooperi) commonly known as African potato, African star grass, Bantu Tulip, Papa Silvestre Africana, and Pomme de Terre Sauvage d’Afrique, South African Star Grass and Sterretjie is a medicinal plant in the Hypoxidaceae family.The plant has no relationship with the potatoes you’re probably most familiar with. Snack company Simba has warned retailers that due to high winter rainfall,supplies will be affected and it asked for understanding as it “may not meet the expected levels of service over the next few weeks”. Downstream of the Clanwilliam Dam the water situation is dire; the dam didn’t overflow this past season, the flow of the Olifants River is severely diminished and the water table level wasn’t adequately replenished by winter rainfall. In terms of structure the SACU market accounted for an average of 35% of South Africa’s potato seed exports, while other African … Potatoes South Africa. South Africa exports around 8% of its potatoes to neighbouring countries, but also imports a relatively large quantity of French Fries from European producers like the Netherlands and Belgium. This is mainly to prevent outbreaks of diseases like Early Blight, which has the potential to devastate the commercial potato industry. Potatoes South Africa is a non-profit company incorporated under the South African Companies Act No 71 of 2008 whose main objective is to serve, protect and promote the interests of the South African potato industry. As a primary agricultural product, the demand for potatoes is relatively inelastic – even amid the fallout of the pandemic. Most of South Africa’s land surface (69%) is suitable for grazing, and livestock farming is by far the largest agricultural sector in the country. Potato Processing International Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here, << Back Read the full article on Farmer’s Weekly. Water quality is already providing some problems,” Dr Jooste continues. Find out all about latest breaking news, daily news and hot news in Africa. | Further north in the Western Cape in the Sandveld, traditionally a major potato production area, there was already a decrease of 600ha in potato plantings last year as a response to the third year of drought. All JSE data is delayed by at least 15 minutes, Covid-19: UK potato farmers face crisis as fish and chip shops close, There's a British soccer team that wears jerseys covered in sausage, potatoes, and peas, South African cavemen ate carbs, new research shows, *Copyright © 2020 Business Insider Inc.All rights reserved.Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, ‘Slap’ chips could get cheaper thanks to a new deal on potatoes in South Africa, according to the agricultural market information source AMT. A POTATO shortage in South Africa (SA) has led to potato prices in Namibia shooting up by 25 per cent over the last week. Potatoes South Africa. Irrigation from rivers and dams accounts for 10% to 20% of water supply for potato fields in this important production region. Agricultural regions of South Africa Source: FAO Corporate Document Repository Agriculture is the foundation of developing economies. Container shortages on the market, how does this happen? As a primary agricultural product, the demand for potatoes is relatively inelastic – even amid the fallout of the pandemic. A particularly cold winter hurt the early harvest, says Jooste. Potato production in Africa The world’s potato production and consumption Potatoes’ contribution to agriculture • Potatoes are the single most important vegetable crop in South Africa (Food pricing monitoring committee (FPMC), 2003:158). We require you to complete all the text fields marked with *. South Africa has been hit by a countrywide potato shortage due to adverse climactic conditions which will affect supply, quality and pricing of frozen potato products. Government regulations regarding the production of seed potatoes for sale in South Africa are very strict. Welcome Potatoes South Africa!” Potatoes South Africa (PSA) is a non-profit company under the Companies Act, 2008 (Act 71 of 2008), whose main objectives are to serve as the mouthpiece of the South African potato producers, Get the best of our site delivered to your inbox every day. 1.2.2 Seed potatoes South Africa exported roughly R85 million of potato seed in 2014, and this represented a 32% growth from the 2013 revenue of R64 million. This year’s price spike is due to a weaker potato harvest from Limpopo, the nation’s biggest producer this time of the year. Top Menu . A potato shortage in South Africa has led to potato prices in Namibia shooting up by 25 per cent over the last week. Johannesburg - South Africa has been hit by a countrywide potato shortage due to adverse climactic conditions which will affect supply, quality and pricing of frozen potato products. At present, it is estimated that 150ha of greenhouses are in use in South Africa, in which mainly English cucumbers and tomatoes are produced by localized irrigation system. Author: Potato Business Potato Business . ALL seed potatoes must first be … You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site. Potatoes South Africa reported that the potato industry in South Africa had lost at least 60.000 tons of potatoes this year, largely due to flooding and frost. "At the end of the day price levels will be determined by demand and supply forces in the markets," he concludes. South Africa has seen a massive surge in potato prices in recent months, after an unusually cold winter in Limpopo hurt the early part of the province’s harvest. Sweet potato prices have seen a similar surge as potatoes – prices are 168% higher than a year ago, according to the agricultural market information source AMT. There is much concern about particularly the newly established citrus orchards.”. They’re waiting for substantial rain. America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Israel produce the remaining crop. The supply of potatoes on domestic fresh-produce markets is currently 17% smaller than a year ago. Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news! © FreshPlaza.com. Current prices in the Extreme South are 20 to 50 percent higher than last year, and 15 to 35 percent above 4 … Potato production and yield vary considerably among countries in Latin America. Another 25 per cent price hike is expected this week. A potato shortage in South Africa has led to potato prices in Namibia shooting up by 25 per cent over the last week. Tomatoes are the most important vegetable crop, followed by onions. At the start of 2016, potato prices across all classes and markets reached R63 per 10kg bag. Publication date: While household incomes have been squeezed by the pandemic, and fast-food outlets – a main consumer of potatoes for chips -  were forced to close during the initial part of the lockdown, demand for potatoes has recovered in recent months. He says European producers – also hit by wilting demand due to the pandemic in their home markets – are looking for alternative markets. As a result, livestock prices increased by 20 percent during the peak of the harvest (May to June 2019) in the south compared to the end of lean season (March to April). The drought is affecting potato plantings in the southern parts of South Africa. “If it gets too hot, the potato plants stop growing.”. Another 25 per cent price hike is expected this week. 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