Severe cold snap devastates South African crops

Unusually cold temperatures have severely impacted agriculture in South Africa this month, particularly in Limpopo Province.

On July 12, temperatures plunged to -6 °C (21.2 °F) just before daybreak in parts of the Bushveld, resulting in widespread crop damage. Low-lying orchards and fields in the Limpopo River Valley have sustained significant losses, with vegetable fields collapsing and citrus fruits freezing.

The Citrus Growers’ Association has advised growers not to pack any frozen fruit, as it will be of unmarketable quality by the time it reaches overseas markets. Farmers are reportedly distraught over the extensive damage to their crops.

Deidré Carter, CEO of the regional agricultural lobby group Agri Limpopo, described the damage to vegetable crops as catastrophic. “We have been in contact with many farmers who are absolutely distraught.”

Potato farmers, tomato farmers, peppers, avocado, citrus, berries, macadamias, and other cash crop producers have reported significant losses due to the unprecedented cold snap, leading to fears of a substantial reduction in the availability of these essential commodities,” Carter stated.

Potato farmers have reported a loss amounting to R470 million (almost 24 million euros). Potatoes South Africa is still assessing the full extent of the damage.

FP Coetzee, information manager at the organization, indicated that approximately 2 840 hectares (7 020 acres) were affected by frost damage. The estimated losses amount to 32% of the crop, equivalent to four million 10 kg (22 lb) bags. In comparison, in 2023, the national harvest was eight million bags below the long-term average, and the current frost damage represents 50% of that shortfall.

Coetzee mentioned that the potential increase in the supply of smaller potatoes in the short term could pressure markets, with an expected six-week gap in volumes. “It’s still too early to make a final verdict on the true extent of the damage; some of the potatoes might yet recover. Additionally, there’s an expectation that the cold isn’t over, which would impact the recovery of damaged potatoes,” he added.

Vegetable farmer Tinus Venter of Janlouis Boerdery reported losing around 50% of his crops due to repeated night frosts but mentioned that some colleagues lost up to 100% of their crops.

“In the 24 years we’ve been on the farm, it’s the coldest I’ve ever experienced,” Venter, who farms north of the Soutpansberg mountain range near Botswana, said.

On July 7, 2024, we had a lot of damage, then again on July 9, and July 10 – usually, we get a single morning of frost per year. Having frost on five or six consecutive days is completely unusual.” Venter described the damage as astronomical and warned that vegetables, especially potatoes, would be unaffordable by the end of the month.

Johannesburg fresh produce market agent Jan Potgieter of The GROW Group echoed this sentiment, predicting very high vegetable prices this winter. “Tomato prices will start climbing in two or three weeks when the fruit harvestable after this frost have been worked out,” he said. Potgieter expects the price of a 10 kg (22 lb) bag of potatoes to rise to R200 (10.2 euros) from the current R60 (3 euros).

To meet the country’s demand, tomatoes from the Onderberg in Mpumalanga province, high-lying areas behind the Soutpansberg in Limpopo, and along the Orange River in the Northern Cape, as well as those grown in tunnels in East London (Eastern Cape), will be required.

Certain vegetables will be immediately affected, including spinach, beans, and baby marrow, while the impact on pumpkins, tomatoes, and potatoes will become evident in the coming weeks.

References:

¹ Exceptional cold causes damage of hundreds of millions of rands to South Africa’s winter veg and citrus – FP – July 12, 2024