South Africa’s agricultural markets delivered a week of contrasts, with livestock sectors celebrating robust gains while fresh produce markets told a more nuanced story of seasonal shifts and supply challenges. The latest agrimetrics data reveals how farmers across different sectors are navigating an increasingly complex market landscape.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor of African Farming
Livestock Markets
“We’re seeing strong gains in livestock markets, particularly in beef and sheep, driven by reduced supply levels and increased demand,” explains Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB Commercial. This trend has been particularly evident in the beef market, where Class A prices surged by an impressive 21.4% week-on-week to reach R86.25 per kilogram, signalling robust demand during the winter months.
The livestock sector’s positive momentum extended beyond beef, with weaner calf prices climbing 2.7% for the week and showing remarkable year-on-year growth of 12.8%. Sheep farmers also had reason to celebrate, as Class A prices edged up marginally by 0.2%, while mutton prices gained 2.3% week-on-week. Feeder lamb prices contributed to the optimistic picture with a 2.8% weekly increase.
Pork producers experienced more modest gains, with porker prices rising 0.3% and baconer prices advancing 1.0% for the week. The poultry sector presented mixed results, with fresh whole bird prices remaining steady while medium frozen whole birds showed a slight decline of 0.3%.
“Higher feed costs influenced by rising maize and global soybean prices have contributed to increased livestock prices,” Makube notes, highlighting the interconnected nature of agricultural markets. This connection becomes even more apparent when examining the grains and oilseeds sector, where farmers are grappling with both opportunities and challenges.
Maize and Soybean
White maize emerged as a standout performer in the grains market, with September 2025 contracts climbing 4.6% month-on-month to reach R4 941 per tonne. Wheat followed suit with strong gains, as December 2025 contracts jumped 6.3% to R6 346 per tonne. However, yellow maize presented a more subdued picture, with September contracts declining 1.1% month-on-month to R4 205 per tonne.
The oilseeds market maintained relative stability, with soybeans trading at R7,248 per tonne for September contracts, down just 0.3% for the month, while sunflower seed prices edged up 0.5% to R9 690 per tonne. “The grains sector is being influenced by potential global trade disruptions and lingering concerns over weather forecasts, particularly possible impacts of El Niño, which could affect planting and yields,” Makube explains.
Fresh Produce
Fresh produce markets delivered some of the week’s most dramatic price movements, reflecting the seasonal nature of agricultural production and the delicate balance between supply and demand. Vegetable farmers witnessed extraordinary year-on-year gains in several categories, with butternut prices soaring 44.94% and carrot prices climbing an impressive 51.65%. Lettuce producers also benefited from favourable market conditions, with prices advancing 11.27% compared to the previous year.
However, not all vegetable producers shared in these gains. Tomato and potato growers faced challenging market conditions, with prices declining both week-on-week and year-on-year. “Vegetable price fluctuations are attributed to lower production volumes in certain categories paired with seasonal demand shifts,” Makube observes, emphasising the importance of understanding market cycles.
The fruit market presented perhaps the most striking contrasts of the week. Mango growers experienced exceptional price growth, with values surging 170.5% year-on-year due to significantly reduced supply volumes. This dramatic increase reflects the seasonal nature of mango production and the premium that scarcity can command in the marketplace.
Conversely, grape farmers faced challenging conditions as prices dropped 47.1% year-on-year, illustrating how quickly market fortunes can change within the fresh produce sector. Apple, avocado, banana, and pear markets showed more moderate movements, reflecting the diverse dynamics within South Africa’s fruit export industry.
Broader Market Forces and Global Influences
Beyond the traditional agricultural commodities, other soft commodities including sugar, cotton, and wool continued to play important roles in the broader agricultural economy. These markets provide additional income streams for farmers and contribute to the complex web of agricultural production that characterises South African farming.
The week’s market movements reflect several underlying factors that farmers must navigate in their planning and decision-making. “Seasonal low supply levels for vegetables like carrots are leading to significant price surges,” Makube explains, while also noting the ongoing impact of South Africa’s energy challenges on cold storage and transport efficiency for fresh produce.
Global factors continue to influence domestic markets, with the ongoing effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupting wheat and sunflower supply chains. Uncertainty surrounding El Niño weather patterns adds another layer of complexity to production outlooks for grains and oilseeds. Meanwhile, volatile oil prices continue to influence fertiliser and transport costs, affecting farmers’ input expenses.
