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Potatoes

Potatoes are the fourth most significant crop in the world after maize, wheat and rice. This makes potatoes the number one unrefined food crop globally. Surprisingly, only about 10% of consumers know which potatoes to use for a specific dish… except for fried chips. Almost 20% know to use long oval and/or large potatoes.

Potatoes Dynamics

Size
The generally preferred size of potatoes mainly varies between a medium and large potato. Baby potatoes are least preferred.

Colour
The preferred colour of potatoes varies mainly between white and cream. 37% of people prefer their potatoes to be cream.

Shape
The preferred shape of potatoes varies greatly. Over a third of consumers prefer a round to an oval potato.

Washed vs Unwashed
93% of consumers prefer a washed potato to an unwashed potato.

Why buy unwashed potatoes?
Unwashed potatoes are ideal if you are looking for longevity as unwashed potatoes will last a little longer as the dirt protects them from light. Washed potatoes often lose some of their skin in the washing process, making them more susceptible to air and potential mould. Unwashed potatoes are ideal for export markets.

Types of Potatoes in South Africa

There are hundreds of varieties of potato and multiple potato cultivars in South Africa. Different potato types vary in texture and colour and behave differently when cooked, making some potato varieties better suited to certain purposes.

What is a potato cultivar?

Also known as a potato variety, a potato cultivar is a type of potato that has been bred for desired traits. These traits are reproduced in each new generation to maintain the cultivar’s characteristics.
In South Africa, there are several potato cultivars that are commonly grown. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics, uses, and benefits. Here is a list of commonly grown potato cultivars in South Africa, along with their general uses and benefits:

Up-to-Date: Up-to-Date potatoes are versatile and suitable for various cooking methods. They have a smooth texture, creamy taste, and are good for boiling, mashing, roasting, and making potato salads.
Mondial: Mondial potatoes are known for their high yields and good storage capabilities. They have a waxy texture and are ideal for boiling, steaming, and making French fries or chips.
Sifra: Sifra potatoes are characterized by their firm texture and excellent taste. They are often used for boiling, baking, roasting, and making potato wedges or chips.
Valor: Valor potatoes are known for their strong resistance to diseases and pests. They have a creamy texture and are suitable for boiling, mashing, and making French fries or chips.
Mondy: Mondy potatoes are popular for their versatility and adaptability to various cooking methods. They have a firm texture and are used for boiling, baking, roasting, and making French fries or chips.
Hermes: Hermes potatoes are high-yielding and have good disease resistance. They have a creamy texture and are suitable for boiling, mashing, baking, and making French fries or chips.
Hermes Red: This cultivar is a red-skinned variant of Hermes potatoes. It offers the same characteristics and uses as Hermes but with the added visual appeal of red skin.
Avalanche: Avalanche potatoes are known for their smooth skin, creamy texture, and excellent taste. They are versatile and can be used for boiling, mashing, baking, and making potato salads.
Spunta: Spunta potatoes have a firm, waxy texture and are popular for their ability to hold their shape well after cooking. They are suitable for boiling, roasting, making potato salads, and also as baby potatoes.

Potato growing regions in South Africa may vary due to climatic conditions and farming practices. However, major potato-producing areas in South Africa include the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces. Different cultivars may be preferred in different regions based on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and market demands.

It’s important to note that availability and preferences for potato cultivars may change over time, and there may be other locally adapted cultivars that are popular in specific regions of South Africa. Consulting with local farmers, agricultural extension offices, or seed suppliers in your specific area would provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding potato cultivars suitable for your region.

Tomatoes

“Tomatoes are the second most important vegetable commodity after potatoes, planted to about 6000 hectares. Tomatoes contribute about 24% of the total vegetable production in South Africa.”
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Directorate Plant Production

Tomatoes popularity can, in part, be ascribed to their status as a functional food, ie, a food that goes beyond providing basic nutrition. Tomatoes contain a wide array of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, including alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, folic acid, beta-carotene and lutein. They are also a source of vitamin C and choline, an important nutrient that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory.

South Africa’s annual tomato production is around 600 000 tonnes. The country grows three main types of tomatoes, namely round or fresh tomatoes, roma tomatoes destined for processing, and cherry tomatoes. Most tomatoes are grown in open fields under irrigation.

Given their relatively short shelf life, tomatoes are mainly grown for domestic use. Between 83% and 87% of the annual crop is sold through the national and regional fresh produce markets, with a limited quantity delivered directly to supermarket chains. A small percentage of South African tomatoes is bought by cross-border traders who sell produce in Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.

South Africa is regarded as a leader in the use of tomato production best practices.

Tomato Cultivars

In South Africa, there are several tomato cultivars that are popularly grown. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics, uses, and benefits. While I can provide a list of commonly grown tomato cultivars in South Africa, please note that specific growing regions may vary depending on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and farming practices. Here are some tomato cultivars along with their general uses and benefits:

Bonny Best: This cultivar produces medium-sized, round, and juicy tomatoes. It is commonly used for fresh eating, salads, and sandwiches. Bonny Best tomatoes are known for their excellent flavour and disease resistance.
Roma: Roma tomatoes are oval-shaped and have a meaty texture with fewer seeds and less juice. They are popular for making sauces, pastes, and canning due to their dense flesh and rich flavour. Roma tomatoes are adaptable to various growing conditions.
Beefmaster: As the name suggests, Beefmaster tomatoes are large and meaty, making them ideal for slicing and sandwiches. They have a sweet and tangy flavour and are often used in salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are small, round, and typically sweet. They come in various colours like red, yellow, and orange. Cherry tomatoes are perfect for salads, snacking, and adding to pasta dishes or skewers. Popular cherry tomato varieties include Sweet 100, Sun Gold, and Super Sweet 100.
Heinz: Heinz tomatoes are primarily grown for processing and canning purposes, particularly for the production of tomato-based products like ketchup and sauces. They are known for their high yields and disease resistance.
Floradade: This cultivar is resistant to multiple tomato diseases and can withstand hot and humid conditions. Floradade tomatoes are suitable for both fresh consumption and processing, making them versatile for various uses.
Oxheart: Oxheart tomatoes have a heart-shaped appearance and are known for their rich, sweet flavour. They are often used for slicing, canning, and making sauces.
Pear Tomatoes: Pear-shaped tomatoes have a distinct shape and flavour. They are commonly used for making sauces, canning, and roasting. Pear tomato varieties include Yellow Pear and Red Pear.
Moneymaker: Moneymaker tomatoes are reliable and produce high yields. They are medium-sized and have a balanced flavour, making them suitable for fresh consumption, canning, and sauces.

Tomato growing regions in South Africa may vary, but some major tomato-producing areas include Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Local conditions and farming practices can influence the specific cultivars grown in each region.

It’s worth noting that availability and preferences for tomato cultivars may change over time, and there may be other locally adapted cultivars that are popular in specific regions of South Africa. Consulting with local farmers, agricultural extension offices, or seed suppliers in your specific area would provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding tomato cultivars suitable for your region.

Onions

In South Africa, there are several onion cultivars that are commonly grown. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics, uses, and benefits. Here is a list of commonly grown onion cultivars in South Africa, along with their general uses and benefits:

Texas Grano 502 PRR: Texas Grano 502 PRR onions are known for their large size and mild, sweet flavour. They have excellent storage capabilities and are suitable for fresh consumption, slicing, and grilling. They are popular for use in salads, sandwiches, and as a flavour enhancer in various dishes.
Red Creole: Red Creole onions have a reddish-purple skin and a pungent flavour. They are commonly used for cooking and flavouring dishes, such as soups, stews, and sauces. They are also suitable for grilling and caramelizing.
Granex 429: Granex 429 onions, also known as Vidalia onions, have a mild, sweet flavour and a crispy texture. They are excellent for fresh consumption in salads, salsas, and sandwiches. They can also be used for grilling and sautéing.
Egyptian Onions: Egyptian onions, also called tree onions or walking onions, are unique because they produce bulbils on the tops of their stalks, allowing them to “walk” and reproduce. They have a strong, pungent flavour and are commonly used for cooking, seasoning, and pickling.
Spring Onions: Spring onions, also known as scallions or green onions, are harvested before they fully mature. They have a mild flavour and are often used as a garnish in salads, stir-fries, soups, and other dishes. The green tops and white bulbs are both used in cooking.
Valencia: Valencia onions are known for their sweet and mild flavour. They have a yellow-brown skin and are suitable for both raw and cooked applications. They are often used in salads, sandwiches, and various cooked dishes.

Onion growing regions in South Africa may vary due to climatic conditions and farming practices. However, major onion-producing areas in South Africa include the Northern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng provinces. Different cultivars may be preferred in different regions based on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and market demands.

It’s important to note that availability and preferences for onion cultivars may change over time, and there may be other locally adapted cultivars that are popular in specific regions of South Africa. Consulting with local farmers, agricultural extension offices, or seed suppliers in your specific area would provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding onion cultivars suitable for your region.

Bananas

In South Africa, it’s important to note that commercial banana production is limited in the country due to climate restrictions. The majority of bananas consumed in South Africa are imported. However, there are some small-scale banana plantations in certain regions. Here are a few banana cultivars that may be grown in South Africa:

Cavendish: Cavendish bananas are the most widely cultivated and popular banana cultivar globally. They have a creamy texture, sweet flavour, and are typically eaten fresh. Cavendish bananas are known for their high yield and resistance to diseases, making them suitable for commercial cultivation.
Williams (Gros Michel): Williams bananas, also known as Gros Michel, have a slightly firmer texture and a sweeter taste compared to Cavendish. They are commonly used for fresh consumption, smoothies, and baking.
Lady Finger (Sucrier): Lady Finger bananas are smaller in size and have a sweet, delicate flavour. They are often eaten fresh and are favoured for their creamy texture. Lady Finger bananas can be used in desserts, salads, and as a garnish.
Goldfinger: Goldfinger bananas are a relatively new cultivar. They have a sweet flavour with hints of apple and strawberry. They are resistant to Panama disease, making them suitable for areas affected by the disease. Goldfinger bananas can be eaten fresh or used in baking and cooking.

Banana cultivation in South Africa is limited to certain subtropical and warmer regions, such as parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. These regions offer the necessary climate conditions for banana growth. The specific growing regions for different banana cultivars may vary depending on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and farming practices.

It’s important to note that banana cultivation in South Africa is not as widespread as in other countries, and commercial production primarily focuses on other agricultural products. Therefore, it’s recommended to consult with local agricultural authorities, farmers, or agricultural extension offices in the specific regions of interest to gather accurate and up-to-date information on banana cultivars and growing regions in South Africa.

Apples

In South Africa, there are several apple cultivars that are commonly grown. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics, uses, and benefits. Here is a list of commonly grown apple cultivars in South Africa, along with their general uses and benefits:

Golden Delicious: Golden Delicious apples have a sweet, crisp, and juicy flesh. They are excellent for eating fresh, salads, and making applesauce. They are known for their long shelf life and are often used in baking and desserts as well.
Granny Smith: Granny Smith apples are known for their tart and crisp flavour. They are commonly used in baking, as their firm flesh holds up well in pies, tarts, and turnovers. They are also enjoyed fresh, added to salads, or used in savoury dishes like stuffing or slaws.
Pink Lady: Pink Lady apples have a sweet-tart flavour with a firm and crisp texture. They are popular for fresh eating, salads, and snacking. They are also suitable for baking and cooking due to their ability to hold their shape.
Fuji: Fuji apples have a sweet and refreshing flavour with a dense and crisp texture. They are excellent for eating fresh, juicing, and salads. They also work well in baking, as they retain their shape and provide a balanced sweetness.
Royal Gala: Royal Gala apples have a mild and sweet flavour. They are often enjoyed fresh, sliced in salads, or used for applesauce. They have a thin skin and are suitable for both adult and children’s palates.
Cripps Pink (Pink Lady): Cripps Pink apples, commonly known as Pink Lady apples, have a sweet-tart flavour and a crisp texture. They are primarily used for fresh eating, but they can also be used in salads, baking, and desserts.
Braeburn: Braeburn apples have a sweet and tangy flavour with a firm and crisp texture. They are versatile and suitable for eating fresh, baking, and cooking. They are often used in pies, tarts, and crisps due to their ability to retain their shape.

Apple growing regions in South Africa can vary depending on climatic conditions and farming practices. However, major apple-producing areas in South Africa include the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and parts of the Mpumalanga and Free State provinces. Different cultivars may be preferred in different regions based on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and market demands.

It’s important to note that availability and preferences for apple cultivars may change over time, and there may be other locally adapted cultivars that are popular in specific regions of South Africa. Consulting with local farmers, agricultural extension offices, or fruit industry organizations in your specific area would provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding apple cultivars suitable for your region.