Potato Review

Growers look to export to UAE GROWERS in Zimbabwe are looking to increase exports to Dubai and the rest of United Arab Emirates following strengthened support from the Dubai International Chamber (DIC) and ZimTrade. Zimbabwe has a well-established history of potato cultivation. The main potato growing period is from late July to early August after the last frost Growers currently hope engagements with the DIC will make it easy to export their products into the Middle East economy. 48 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2023 INTERNATIONAL As prices grow, margins are tight in SA province POTATO season had ocially begun before Christmas in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, where they are the fourth most important crop. As local growers were busy lifting, cleaning, and packaging their produce, Greytown farmer, Graeme Jarvie of GoldenGrow, said this year every cent counted for growers. “What we have seen this year is input prices have grown faster than our output prices and we are being squeezed as producers. The margins we make from all our crops, especially potatoes, are very tight.” Apart from the suppliers, buyers were also preparing to handle the influx of potatoes. Nasira Hoosen, a local buyer from Aheer’s Powertrade in Greytown, explained how they are planning for the increase in demand for potatoes to ensure they get the best quality at the lowest prices by using the HelloChoice platform: “We supply smaller outlets and local takeaway shops year-round, so we are always on the lookout for better pricing and quality to ensure our customers are consistently happy. If the quality of the potatoes is good, it will have a longer shelf life so we can order more and make a bigger margin. Currently, we scan the market, talk to farmers on the ground and use the HelloChoice platform to keep up to date. For us, the platform is easy to use, and it gives us all the information we are looking for up-front and it is a great place to compare prices to ensure that you are always getting the best daily deals.” HelloChoice is an online digital marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of fresh produce and products, displaying marketing prices and catering for both retailers and wholesalers. Stock levels decline THE average stock levels in South Africa declined at the end of 2022, according to Potatoes SA. In November 2022, the average daily stock levels on the fresh produce markets were 891 thousand 10 kg bags per day, which is approximately 267 thousand 10 kg bags more than the previous month. Year on year, average stock levels declined by 13% and there were on average 127 thousand 10 kg bags less available daily. The average daily price during November 2022 varied between R34.40 and R55.01 per 10 kg bag and showed a significantly smaller variation than in 2021 for the same period. The average monthly price increased by 14% year on year. The average monthly price for all sizes and classes was R44.43 where the average monthly price for class 1 Medium ended at R45.75 per 10 kg bag. The average weekly price was up 23% week-on-week. ‘Demand will be met’ consumers assured SOUTH Africa consumers have been reassured that the country’s potato industry will be able to meet local demand for French fries after heavy “anti-dumping” duties were imposed by the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) in July last year on Belgium, German and Dutch suppliers. When the duties were announced there was concern that South Africans could face a severe shortage of French fries as it curbed imports from its usual European frozen chips markets. But Potatoes SA acting Marketing Manager, Jaco Koekemoer, said the country has a sucient supply of fresh potatoes, with forecasts looking promising over the next 12 months. Jaco said: “There is ample produce to meet frozen chip manufacturing demand, and satisfy customer and retail appetites. What’s more, there are 16 potato production regions across South Africa, and a continuous supply of potatoes is delivered to fresh produce markets on a daily basis.” However, Jaco said the major challenge facing potato producers was load shedding and its disruption of food production, as well as cheap imports.