South Africa’s agricultural markets are painting a complex picture, with livestock prices maintaining their upward momentum while fresh produce faces downward pressure, according to the latest weekly agrimetrics compiled by Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB Commercial.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
The data from the week ending 15 August 2025 reveals a tale of two markets: resilient livestock sectors buoyed by strong domestic demand, and fresh produce markets experiencing seasonal adjustments that are bringing relief to consumers’ grocery bills.
Beef Prices Continue Their Steady Climb
The beef market remains a standout performer, with Class A beef prices reaching R70.04 per kilogram, representing a solid 2.8% increase from the previous week and an impressive 26.3% growth compared with the same period last year.
“The upward trend in producer prices can be attributed to strong domestic demand and constrained supply due to higher feed costs,” explains Makube. “Despite rising input costs, the livestock sector continues to show remarkable resilience.”
Weaner calves have also benefited from this positive momentum, with prices improving to R37.50 per kilogram live weight, marking a 0.8% weekly increase and a substantial 17.7% year-on-year growth. The strength in the beef market reflects both consumer confidence in premium protein sources and the ongoing effects of supply chain adjustments.
Sheep And Lamb Markets Hold Steady
The sheep market demonstrated stability this week, with Class A prices holding firm at R105.18 per kilogram, showing minimal weekly movement but maintaining an 18% year-on-year increase. Mutton prices showed more vigour, rising 1.3% to R77.20 per kilogram.
Makube notes that “continued upward pressure on prices is linked to increasing domestic lamb demand and tighter supply conditions”. Feeder lamb prices experienced a slight dip to R50.57 per kilogram live weight, but still maintain a strong 24.3% year-on-year increase.
Pork Market Shows Mixed Signals
The pork sector presented a more nuanced picture this week, with porker prices declining marginally by 0.4% to R35.33 per kilogram, whereas baconer prices gained 1% to reach R35.26 per kilogram. Despite the weekly volatility, both categories maintained solid double-digit year-on-year growth.
According to Makube, “weaker demand from international markets has contributed to the drop in imports, which may actually support price stability for local pork producers”.
Poultry Prices Edge Higher Despite Challenges
The poultry industry continues to navigate challenging conditions, with fresh whole bird prices edging up 0.2% to R39.95 per kilogram. Medium frozen whole birds increased by 0.4% to R34.97 per kilogram, and individually quick frozen (IQF) products remained unchanged at R35.62 per kilogram.
“The poultry industry remains pressured by rising input costs, particularly maize,” Makube observes. “However, stability in IQF prices reflects high consumer preference despite squeezed household incomes.”
Vegetable Prices Offer Consumer Relief
Fresh produce markets provided welcome news for consumers this week, with most vegetable prices declining. Tomatoes led the downward trend, dropping 3.67% to R8.22 per kilogram, while also showing a significant 24% year-on-year decrease.
Potatoes continued their dramatic year-on-year decline of 48.25% and are now trading at R4.15 per kilogram after a 1.39% weekly decrease. Onions fell 3.39% to R5.77 per kilogram, and carrots dropped 6.05% to R5.43 per kilogram.
Interestingly, butternuts bucked the trend with a 48% year-on-year increase, though they still declined 1.55% this week to R7.37 per kilogram.
The volume trends tell an important story, with significant decreases in potato volumes (-19.1%) and onion volumes (-15.54%) indicating supply-side pressures that are influencing pricing dynamics.
Fruit Markets Show Seasonal Variation
The fruit sector displayed typical seasonal patterns, with grapes experiencing dramatic volume increases of nearly 38% week-on-week, though prices declined 19.6% year-on-year to R70.97 per kilogram.
Avocados maintained their premium positioning with a 25.8% year-on-year price increase, now trading at R23.91 per kilogram. Mangoes also showed strength with a 24.7% annual increase to R47.03 per kilogram, despite volume challenges.
Apples demonstrated steady growth at R11.37 per kilogram, up 9.1% year-on-year, and bananas remained relatively stable at R8.10 per kilogram with a modest 2.4% annual increase.
Grain Markets Ease On Improved Supply
The grain sector provided significant relief to livestock producers and consumers alike, with white maize December 2025 futures falling 16.8% month-on-month to R4 287 per tonne. Yellow maize followed suit with an 11.5% monthly decline to R3 985 per tonne.
“Lower prices reflect global surplus conditions and improved yields,” Makube explains. “This development should help ease some of the input cost pressures facing the livestock and poultry industries.”
Wheat prices remained relatively stable at R6 253 per tonne, declining just 1.1% month-on-month for December futures, indicating a more balanced supply-demand dynamic.
Oilseeds Present Mixed Picture
The oilseed market showed varied performance, with soybeans remaining flat at R7 442 per tonne, whereas sunflower seeds gained 4.3% month-on-month to R10 181 per tonne.
According to Makube, “soybeans and sunflower seeds remain supported by strong demand in both domestic and export-oriented markets”. This strength in oilseeds reflects both local processing demand and favourable export opportunities.
