Vegetables

Vegetables (excluding potatoes)

General

Vegetables are produced in most parts of the country, but farmers in certain areas tend to concentrate on certain crops. For example, green beans are mainly grown at Kaapmuiden, Marble Hall and Tzaneen; green peas at George and Vaalharts; onions at Caledon, Pretoria and Brits; and asparagus at Krugersdorp and Ficksburg.

Production

During the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000 (July–June), the total production of vegetables (excluding potatoes) decreased by 7,0%, from 2,026 million tons to 2,009 million tons, with a decrease of 4,0%, from 2,092 million tons to 2,009 million tons, between 1998/99 and 1999/2000. Of the more important vegetables, onion production decreased by approximately 8,0%, from 387 000 tons in 1998/99 to 356 000 tons in 1999/2000, and cabbage production by 6,4%, from 202 000 tons to 189 000 tons. The production of carrots and other vegetables also decreased, by 5,0% and 6,4% respectively. The largest percentage increase occurred with pumpkin production, which increased by 1,0%, from 199 000 tons to 201 000 tons.

The production of vegetables (excluding potatoes) in South Africa for the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000 compares as follows:

Year	1995/96	1996/97	1997/98 1 000 tons	1998/99	1999/2000
Tomatoes	452	424	453	415	417
Onions	290	285	342	387	356
Green mealies	278	286	290	300	293
Cabbages	214	208	204	202	189
Pumpkins	193	192	197	199	201
Carrots	132	103	103	101	96
Other	467	469	495	488	457
Total	2 026	1 967	2 084	2 092	2 009

Contribution to gross value of production

Distribution channels

As depicted in the graphical presentation below, approximately 54% of the volume of vegetables produced is traded on the 16 major fresh produce markets. The total volume of vegetables (excluding potatoes) sold on these markets amounted to 1,122 million tons in 1998/99, while 1,089 million tons were sold in 1999/2000, which represents a decrease of 2,9%.

The values of sales of the most important vegetables (excluding potatoes) in South Africa for the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000 are as follows:

Year	1995/96	1996/97	1997/98 R’000	1998/99	1999/2000
Tomatoes	349 784	391 887	414 616	428 439	434 491
Onions	142 378	256 201	232 580	200 761	250 620
Green mealies	8 280	9 238	9 799	9 125	10 467
Cabbages	47 920	44 197	63 423	60 948	68 249
Pumpkins	24 394	26 645	28 359	30 743	34 184
Carrots	40 657	51 163	57 641	58 943	63 563
Other	317 979	355 305	373 791	392 263	368 725
Total	931 392	1 134 636	1 180 209	1 181 222	1 230 299

Prices

Looking at individual vegetables with a large turnover, the price of green mealies had the largest increase of about 72,5 % from 1998/99 to 1999/2000, whereas the prices of onions and cabbages increased by 32,3% and 20,1% respectively. The price of pumpkins and carrots also increased, by 12,3% and 10,4% respectively. The price of other vegetables increased by 32,3%.

The average prices of some of the more important vegetables in South Africa for the period 1995/96 to 1999/2000 are as follows:

Year	1995/96	1996/97	1997/98 R/ton	1998/99	1999/2000
Tomatoes	1 344,00	1 548,26	1 532,30	1 657,19	1 640,73
Onions	662,32	1 202,42	957,95	765,09	1 012,01
Green mealies	1 779,58	2 217,49	2 479,61	1 675,26	2 889,89
Cabbages	273,12	256,37	372,82	360,30	432,83
Pumpkins	445,16	494,24	501,25	540,89	607,57
Carrots	644,07	802,19	908,44	900,35	993,79
Other	1 038,33	1 127,94	1 167,97	1 258,15	1 664,19

Consumption

The importance of vegetables in a healthy diet is being strongly promoted by all the stakeholders in the fresh produce marketing chain. The per capita consumption of fresh vegetables was 42,69 kg in 1999/2000, which is marginally less than in 1998/99.

International trade

Exporting fresh vegetables is prohibited unless the vegetables are graded, packed and marked according to the prescribed standards promulgated in terms of Act 119 of 1990 and are approved for export after the inspection thereof. Vegetables destined for BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) and vegetables exported in consignments of less than 20 kg or taken in as provisions for consumption abroad a conveyance to another country, are exempted from this prohibition. Regarding phytosanitary issues, exporters must ensure that the fresh produce conforms to the import regulations of the importing country.

Importing vegetables into South Africa is subject to the issuing of a permit in terms of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act 36 of 1983). The sale of vegetables, whether produced locally or imported, is prohibited unless the produce is graded, packed and marked according to the regulations promulgated in terms of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990).

Tomatoes

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