Cattle prices drop sharply as produce markets swing in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s agricultural markets recorded wide price movements in the week ending 1 August 2025, affecting farmers and buyers in key livestock, fruit, vegetable, and grain categories.

The latest update published in AFRICAN FARMING from FNB Commercial’s Senior Agricultural Economist, Paul Makube, points to both pressures and openings for producers.

The beef market saw its steepest weekly fall in recent months, with Class A prices dropping 16.5 percent to R71.98 (US$4.10) per kilogram. Makube linked the drop to “both external market conditions and domestic supply pressures.”

Despite the week’s fall, prices are still 29.1 percent higher than the same time last year, reflecting ongoing demand for quality cuts.

Weaner calves eased by 0.7 percent to R36.45 (US$2.08) per kilogram live weight but still sit 14.3 percent above last year. Sheep producers, meanwhile, benefited from stronger demand. Feeder lambs gained 4 percent to R50.52 (US$2.88) per kilogram, with Class A mutton edging up 0.2 percent to R106.30 (US$6.06) per kilogram.

“Improving demand for lamb prices has cushioned feeder lambs,” Makube said, adding that mutton prices have climbed 18 percent year-on-year due to steady end-of-winter demand.

Pork prices inched up, with porkers at R35.02 (US$2.00) per kilogram and baconers at R34.63 (US$1.97) per kilogram.

“The pork market’s slight improvement demonstrates its affordability and attractiveness to middle-income consumers during periods of broader price inflation in other protein markets,” Makube noted.

Poultry prices stayed largely unchanged week-on-week, although year-on-year increases have been steep, with fresh poultry up 16.8 percent and quick-frozen portions up 20.5 percent. Rising feed costs continue to pressure producers.

Produce markets show big gaps in prices

Vegetable prices showed mixed results. Carrots rose 61.6 percent year-on-year to R6.45 (US$0.37) per kilogram on lower volumes, while tomatoes gained 1.85 percent to R8.84 (US$0.50) per kilogram. Butternuts and lettuce both strengthened, while cabbage prices fell on oversupply.

Fruit markets showed some of the biggest changes. Mangoes soared 483.4 percent to R95.51 (US$5.45) per kilogram, with volumes down 72.81 percent.

Avocados climbed 52.8 percent to R23.30 (US$1.33) per kilogram, supported by both local and export demand. Grapes, in contrast, fell 52.8 percent due to seasonal factors. Makube said, “a heavy reliance on exports” has kept mango prices high.

White maize futures for September dropped 2.7 percent to R4,695 (US$267.71) per ton, with yellow maize showing a similar trend due to global parity pressures.

Sunflower seed futures rose 3.1 percent to between R10,035 (US$572.20) and R10,229 (US$583.20) per ton. “Sunflower remains resilient against a backdrop of tight global oilseed stocks, bolstering export prospects for local producers,” Makube said. Soybean prices stayed steady between R7,368 (US$420.12) and R7,573 (US$431.81) per ton.

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