Low supply raises tomato prices, while potatoes continue to fall in Ceasas

The robust production of the water harvest continues to influence potato prices. In March, the tuber prices fell 5,34% in the weighted average of the main Ceasas, according to the National Supply Company (Conab). Since December, the market has been on a downward trend. The good performance of crops in the South, especially in Paraná and Minas Gerais, sustained the national supply. Together, the two states accounted for 63% of the volume offered.

In Minas Gerais, the regions of Araxá, Pouso Alegre and Patos de Minas stood out. In Paraná, Guarapuava and Palmas led shipments. Production in Santa Catarina also grew. According to Epagri, the state harvest increased by 12% compared to the previous cycle. This scenario put downward pressure on prices even with the increase in sales – which rose 11% compared to February.

Lettuce also declined. The weighted average in warehouses fell 8,08% in March. The biggest declines occurred in the Ceasas of Recife (-60,79%), Belo Horizonte (-21,89%) and São Paulo (-14,32%). These markets recorded an increase in sales of leafy vegetables and a drop in quality, reflecting the heat and constant rain. The Ceasas of Vitória and Curitiba went in the opposite direction, with increases of over 20%.

Tomatoes were the vegetable with the greatest positive variation. The average rose 45,29%. The reduction in supply since January – a 13,2% drop – contributed to the increase. The proximity of the end of the summer harvest reduced the availability of the product at the harvest point. In São José (SC), the price shot up 197%. At Ceagesp, the jump was almost 70%. Even with exceptions in the Northeast, such as Recife (-16,17%) and Fortaleza (-6,68%), the upward movement dominated.

Onions kept pace. In March, the weighted average rose 11,44%, with an increase recorded in the 11 Ceasas analyzed. Even so, prices remained below those seen in 2023 and 2024. The supply of the bulb was concentrated in the South, with emphasis on Santa Catarina, which accounted for 75% of the total. According to Epagri, state production grew 38,1%. Imports increased compared to February, but remained well below the volumes of 2024.

Carrots showed a modest increase of 3,26%. The increase in the average occurred despite specific drops in markets such as São Paulo (-4,24%) and Rio de Janeiro (-12,41%). Production in Minas Gerais and São Paulo accounted for 68% of the national supply. Goiás has been expanding its cultivated area, motivated by the migration of producers who abandoned onions. The first quarter showed a 60% increase in Goiás production compared to the same period in 2024.

Among fruits, apples led the decline, with a 2,02% drop in the weighted average. The progress of the Fuji variety harvest caused the movement. Gala ended the cycle with a lower-than-expected volume. Sales remained stable, thanks to supply control carried out by the graders. Exports increased during the month.

Bananas fell slightly (-0,48%). Prata remained at high prices in the face of low supply. Meanwhile, nanica showed greater availability, which boosted exports and contained appreciation. Papaya fell 0,42%. The papaya variety had limited supply and rising prices. Formosa had a greater presence on the shelves, with strong demand in the first half of the month.

Watermelons varied little. At the beginning of the month, prices rose due to low supply from Bahia and the end of the Rio Grande do Sul harvest. In the second half of the month, production in São Paulo gained momentum. The second harvest in the state should end in April. Mini watermelons from Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará continued to boost exports.

Finally, oranges saw a slight increase of 0,14%. The low quality of the fruit reduced the industry's interest. As a result, more fruit was left for the table market. In the citrus belt, the off-season period prevails, between the end of the late harvest and the beginning of the early oranges of the new harvest.