The first cucumber cultivation of this season is nearly over for some growers in the Netherlands. Prices were almost depressing a few weeks ago, but currently they are not bad. Production costs however, seem to have skyrocketed.
Cucumber grower Jan Meijs in Sprang-Capelle, who mostly supplies through the Greenery, has few reasons to be despondent. “Prices are very decent right now, that is to say they just about cover expenses. But we’re not exactly getting rich either. A few years ago we could produce a cucumber for 23 cents, now we need 28. The lack of good weather didn’t help matters, that’s for sure. On the other hand, quality hasn’t suffered.”
Grower René Welles in (the Dutch town of) America en Grubbenvorst also experienced a late start. “The cold certainly affected production, and we were behind. We were able to catch up in the end, but the climate still isn’t doing us any favours, so the output continues to be sluggish.”
Arthur van Geest, cultivating in the town of Tinte, is slightly more upbeat. “Things were bad for a while, but now we can’t complain. Spain has left the market, summer is coming and people are bound to eat more cucumbers in the weeks to come.” Still, even Van Geest is dealing with high gas prices and low energy prices, resulting in a barely-efficient cogeneration. "I am optimistic about the season, but expenses have risen sizably and a surcharge is likely needed."