South African farmers experienced a week of contrasts in the agricultural markets, with livestock prices surging while fresh produce faced varying pressures.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
According to Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB Commercial, the livestock sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with beef and sheep markets leading the charge in what appears to be a sustained upward trend.”
The latest FNB AgriMetrics data for the week ending 18 July 2025 reveals a complex picture where traditional farming sectors are performing differently, reflecting the diverse nature of South Africa’s agricultural landscape.
Livestock Markets
Cattle farmers have reason to celebrate as beef prices continued their impressive climb. Top-grade beef, known as Class A, reached R71.02 per kilogram, representing a substantial 27.6% increase compared to the same period last year. This translates to farmers receiving an additional R15.34 per kilogram compared to twelve months ago.
“The beef market’s performance reflects strong domestic demand coupled with constrained supply,” explains Makube. “When we see Class A beef prices increasing by nearly 28% year-on-year, it indicates that consumers are willing to pay premium prices for quality meat, which is excellent news for cattle producers who have invested in their herds.”
The sheep market proved even more dynamic, with premium lamb prices jumping by an impressive 7% in just one week. Class A lamb now commands R105.79 per kilogram, while regular mutton prices climbed to R71.67 per kilogram. These increases mean that sheep farmers who brought their animals to market last week received significantly more money than those who sold the previous week.
Makube notes that “the sheep market is experiencing what we call a perfect storm of positive factors – reduced supply meeting strong demand. When lamb prices increase by 7% in a single week, it demonstrates just how tight the market has become.”
Pork producers also shared in the positive sentiment, though their gains were more modest. Porker prices increased to R34.78 per kilogram, while bacon pigs reached R34.15 per kilogram. The most significant development in the pork sector was the dramatic increase in import parity prices, which surged by 36.7% compared to last year.
“The pork import parity increase is particularly significant because it suggests that international pork is becoming more expensive relative to our local production,” Makube explains. “This creates a protective buffer for our local pig farmers, as imported pork becomes less competitive in our market.”
Even the poultry sector, often considered the most stable protein market, showed steady gains. Fresh whole chickens increased to R39.32 per kilogram, representing a 16.6% increase from the previous year. Frozen chicken pieces, a staple in many South African households, reached R35.44 per kilogram.
Also read: Market Pulse: Livestock markets navigate challenging terrain
Grain Markets Maintain Steady Course
While livestock farmers celebrated, grain producers experienced more measured movements in their markets. White maize, South Africa’s staple food crop, showed a modest 1.8% monthly increase in September 2025 futures, reaching R5,100 per tonne. Yellow maize, primarily used for animal feed, followed a similar pattern with September futures at R4,382 per tonne.
“The grain markets are telling us a story of stability rather than volatility,” observes Makube. “While the increases are modest, they represent steady progress for farmers who depend on predictable pricing to plan their operations and manage their cash flow.”
Soybean futures demonstrated minimal movement, increasing by just 0.4% to R7,290 per tonne for September delivery. Sunflower seeds experienced a slight decline, suggesting that oilseed markets remain under pressure from various global factors.
Makube explains that “grain price stability is actually good news for the broader agricultural sector. Dramatic price swings can hurt both farmers and consumers, so these measured increases suggest a market that’s finding its equilibrium.”
Fresh Produce
The fresh produce sector demonstrated the complex dynamics that make agriculture such a challenging business. While some farmers celebrated bumper returns, others faced significant price pressures that squeezed their profit margins.
Mango growers experienced what can only be described as exceptional market conditions. Mango prices skyrocketed to R36.46 per kilogram, representing an extraordinary 157.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This means that mango farmers received more than double the price they achieved twelve months ago.
“The mango market demonstrates how seasonal supply and demand dynamics can create exceptional opportunities for farmers,” notes Makube. “When you see prices increase by more than 150% year-on-year, it reflects both the quality of the fruit and the market’s appreciation for premium produce.”
Carrot farmers also experienced positive market conditions, with prices increasing by 51.4% year-on-year to R6.12 per kilogram. This substantial increase suggests that consumers are willing to pay more for fresh, quality vegetables despite economic pressures.
However, not all vegetable producers shared in this success. Potato farmers faced challenging conditions as prices dropped to R4.77 per kilogram, representing a 21.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Similarly, onion prices fell to R6.19 per kilogram, down 23.5% from last year’s levels.
“The vegetable market reminds us that agriculture is a business of both opportunities and challenges,” Makube reflects. “While mango and carrot farmers are enjoying excellent returns, potato and onion producers are dealing with market pressures that require careful management and planning.”
Lettuce prices, despite dropping 12.2% in the past week to R13.27 per kilogram, still maintained a 20.1% advantage over the previous year. Tomato growers saw weekly price declines of 17.1%, with prices settling at R9.21 per kilogram.
The fruit sector presented similar contrasts. While avocado prices climbed by 21.6% year-on-year to R18.71 per kilogram, grape farmers faced severe market pressure with prices plummeting by 45.1% to R48.57 per kilogram. This dramatic decline in grape prices reflects the challenges faced by farmers in export-oriented crops when international market conditions shift.
