Heavy frost and sleet have destroyed thousands of hectares of potatoes in the South African state of Limpopo, in the northeast of the country. According to Potatoes New Zealand, the damage runs into the tens of millions. This does not leave the market untouched.
It is not the first time that frost has had an impact on South African potatoes, but it is exceptional that the damage is so extensive. In the second week of July, the mercury dropped locally to -7 degrees in Limpopo state. The Africans speak of 'black sleet'. A term originating from shipping that refers to sudden ice formation due to the freezing of mist, fog or drizzle. Photos show that potato crops and pivots are covered with a thick layer of ice.
Destruction vir boere after swartryp
— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) July 13, 2024
Swartryp is a phenomenon that cannot be prevented, but can cause major damage to plants and crops.
'Damage unbelievable'
Vegetable crops, especially potatoes, have been hit in Limpopo by what South Africans call 'swartryp'. While in neighboring country Zimbabwe the mercury touched 50 degrees, across the border it dropped to -6. Deidre Carter, chairman of advocacy group Agri Limpopo, calls the situation exceptional. "The damage is unbelievable and has an irrevocable impact on availability and prices," she told local media. Potato, tomato and citrus growers are particularly affected. Many fruit trees have died due to frost.
Limpopo is the only area in South Africa where potatoes can be planted between February and June. This way the country can have 'fresh' potatoes available all year round. Together with the Free State and Western Cape, it accounts for 70% of the country's potato production. The area is approximately 51.000 hectares, with an annual production of 2,6 million tons.
€23,5 million damage
Potatoes South Africa, the organization for African potato cultivation, estimates the damage at €23,5 million, but says it is still working on an exact estimate. This concerns almost 3.000 hectares that have been affected by frost. Good for 150.000 tons. In the second week of July it was between -3 and -8 degrees at night. Night temperatures have now risen again to 6 to 9 degrees above zero.
It is not the first time that frost has had a major impact on the harvest. In 2021, night frost hit Limpopo at the end of July. Prices then rose by a fifth for a bag of sorted potatoes. Potatoes New Zealand fears that gaps will arise in the supply of potatoes when harvesting takes place.
Second miss in a row
TLU SA (Transvaal Agricultural Union), a commercial farmers' organization, calls on the local government to provide financial support to farmers. This mainly concerns potato growers, who are financially vulnerable. Due to heavy rainfall, the last potato season was not easy.
Not all potato growers are negative. For example, arable farmer CT van der Merwe hopes that good market prices will compensate for a lower harvest. He has a company in Dendron, in the middle of Limpopo. "The mercury dropped to -3 here, it is the worst night frost I have seen in twenty years," he told a South African website. "The financial damage is difficult to predict, it depends on potato prices." Van der Merwe hopes that his crops will still recover. "A potato can recover incredibly well because it can draw on the seed tuber in the ground."