In the first four months the growers of glasshouse vegetables and topfruit received a lot more for their product that the previous year. The higher prices are a result of a more limited supply, according to a survey by the European Commission. The information about the Dutch market will be issued to other EU-member states today by the Beheerscomite Groenten en Fruit.
The prices for tomatoes were, up to week 17 (end of April), about 25% higher than last year. The price level is comparable to the six year average (2007-2012).
The prices for green peppers are comparable to last year and are about 5% lower than the six year average. Red and yellow peppers are clearly better priced than last year. For red, the price is about 10% above the six year average. For yellow, prices are 30% higher than the six year average.
Aubergines also fetch good prices up to now, especially when compared to last year. But also compared to the six year average, prices are about 30% higher. The prices for cucumbers are in line with the six year average and also compared to last year.
Turnover and export lag behind
The prices received by growers are therefore good in general. Turnovers, however, lag behind, because supply is smaller than normal. The Winter weather, the main cause of the smaller supply during the first months of the year, is now over. Both the supply and the demand of lettuce vegetables will, as expected, increase. How this will react on price is unclear. If supply increases quicker than the demand, prices could decrease quickly.
Because of the smaller supply the export of glasshouse vegetables also lags. With tomatoes it is not too bad (-2% up to and including week 14). With other glasshouse vegetables the decrease in export is larger compared to 2012. With cucumbers and peppers the export is 25% less, with peppers even one-third. The shortfalls, however, can quite easily be made up in the course of the season as soon as production increases.
Prices apples and pears
The prices at auction for apples and pears are in the first four months of 2013 considerably higher than in 2012. For apples, prices were on average 50% higher than last year - especially the Elstar, which fetches a higher price. For Jonagold, the difference with last year is smaller.
For pears, the difference with 2012 is substantial: the average price at auction for Conference has more than doubled during the first four months compared to last year. In week 16 and 17 the price was three times as high as last year.
For pears, the difference with 2012 is substantial: the average price at auction for Conference has more than doubled during the first four months compared to last year. In week 16 and 17 the price was three times as high as last year.
Because of the low stocks, less apples are available for export. Compared to 2012, export up to and inclusive of week 14 lags by 45% for both pears and apples.
Source: Productschap Tuinbouw