- A 10kg bag of onions cost R172.35 in September, up R20.92 in a month and R68.65 in a year.
- The National Agricultural Marketing Council blames heavy rain and late planting, and demand from neighbouring countries, for the shortage.
A 10kg bag of onions now costs R172.35. A year ago it cost R103.70.
That is R68.65 more, and the price is still climbing. In August the same bag cost R151.43, so it jumped R20.92 in one month. The figures come from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, which checks prices at shops in seven areas every month.
Where you live makes a difference. A bag costs R141.41 in Mthatha and R194.18 in Cape Town. In Mtubatuba and Pietermaritzburg the price is now more than double what it was a year ago.
We reported in April that families were already buying fewer vegetables and less meat so they could still afford onions. Since then the price has kept rising.
Thabile Nkunjana, a senior agricultural economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, says heavy rain and late planting have left onions in short supply. South Africa also sells onions to neighbouring countries, which adds to demand. She calls it “a perfect storm”.
An agricultural market update at the start of September said fresh produce markets were selling about 30% fewer onions than a year earlier. Onions from Limpopo and North West were arriving later and in smaller amounts than usual. The update expected more onions to reach markets as harvesting continues, but said the supply was not yet enough to bring prices down.
If you have a choice, red onions generally cost more than brown or white ones, because fewer are grown, the council says.
Over the same year, maize meal got 11% cheaper and rice 10% cheaper.
