High temperatures cause tomatoes to be more fragile

The climatic changes that Spain has suffered, primarily in the southern vegetable production areas, are causing imbalances in the harvest and marketing. Not only have prices dropped due to a significant increase in production, but quality is also affected, according to sources from the Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Government of Andalusia.

The good temperatures have not only led to increased yields, especially in the case of cucumbers, but have also caused physiological changes that can affect the fruit's properties, which in the case of tomatoes results in a thinner skin and therefore a greater chance of cracking, forcing packaging lines to be extremely careful to prevent damaging the product.

In the period between 27 October and 9 November, tomato prices have dropped from 0.63 €/kg in week 44 to 0.55 €/kg in week 45.

First class tomatoes represent over 60% of the commercial production in this period, a percentage that is expected to increase in the coming weeks as a result of the lower temperatures registered from week 45.

Prospects for the second half of November are favourable, both in terms of product quality and the gradual increase in exports.

Average pepper prices have increased gradually in the fortnight up to week 45, closing the week at a price of 0.52 €/kg.

Prices of the varieties intended for the domestic market oscillate between the 0.65 €/kg of the Red Lamuyo and the 0.55 €/kg of Italian peppers.

French cucumbers reached the highest prices. In late October, the French campaign came to an end and operators switched to Almeria's produce, whose increase in supply will likely cause a downward price adjustment in the coming weeks.

Short cucumbers, intended primarily for the domestic market, register the second highest prices. Demand reaches its usual levels, but supply is limited.

Cucumbers of the Almeria variety have considerably depreciated in this period. The entry into production of Granada and the remarkable increase in Almeria's production in week 45 contrast with the low levels of demand, with central European markets diversifying their purchases.

Overall, the cumulative cucumber production is estimated to be 10-20% lower than in the same period last season.

The average price of courgettes has stabilised in the period at hand at around 0.30 €/kg.

In the first week of November, as is the case with other products, courgettes increase their presence amongst traders in Almeria. However, the growth in supply of courgettes is more moderate than that of other products, mostly due to the completion of the harvest of many early crops, when preparations are made for a new cycle.

In cumulative terms, courgette trade volumes stand below those of the 2013/14 campaign.

With the end of most Central European campaigns, demand will switch towards Spanish courgettes in the coming weeks.

The average price of aubergines has not surpassed 0.14 €/kg, as it has been affected by a significant increase in supply.

The high temperatures registered in the first months of the campaign have led to a rapid development of aubergine plantations and considerable production volumes during the month of November.

Aubergines are the only product whose volume, in terms of accumulated figures, exceeds that of the 2013/14 campaign.

The drop in temperatures during the first week of November will help regulate production in the coming weeks; this, along with the completion of the Central European campaigns, should lead to a gradual recovery of prices at origin.

In week 45, green beans reached an average price of 1.35 €/kg, becoming, along with peppers, the only product that registers an improvement in prices during the first week of November.

The reduced volumes available and the good quality of the produce mark the situation of green beans during the period at hand.