Market analysts indicate that tomato price trends are similar to those in 2022. Last week, prices dropped by nearly a third to around ZAR 12.50 per kilogram, with further declines expected. There is a significant difference in prices between large tomatoes and smaller ones.
However, due to lower yields of large Grade 1 and niche tomatoes, prices remain 70% higher than last year. The tomato season in the Western Cape typically lasts until May but ended earlier this year. In Limpopo, some growers experienced reduced yields due to high temperatures in late summer.
As temperatures rise, merchants have recently started actively selling. However, compared to previous years, merchants report significantly reduced yields in major producing regions like Shanghai and Zhejiang. Early low temperatures affected tomato fruit setting, leading to reduced production. The second-season tomatoes have just entered the market, with a shortage of high-quality sources, keeping prices at RMB 4.4-4.8 per kilogram.
Additionally, due to reduced early supply of locally grown tomatoes in Shanghai, the market is currently dominated by tomatoes from Shandong's Qingzhou, Yucheng, and Shouguang regions. Wholesale prices remain stable at RMB 95-100 per 18-kilogram box, up RMB 10-15 from the same period last year.
