Price of potatoes set to increase in SA

Consumers can brace themselves for higher potato prices as a result of spiralling potato production costs.

Potatoes South Africa spokesperson, Pieter van Zyl says the production cost of potatoes has increased by 25% over the past six months, largely as a result of higher prices of fertilizer and pesticides which are imported.

Van Zyl says for potato producers to survive, the average price will have to increase to at least R30 a pocket. He foresees potato production dropping to a point where it becomes viable again for farmers to plant potatoes.