Spain: Courgette prices continue to drop, despite good quality

The courgette campaign is starting in Almeria with good quality produce, although prices continue to drop.

"We have been marketing our courgettes for two weeks and quality has been very acceptable since the start. As the weeks go by, it will actually improve," explains Francisco Martínez, manager of Agrícola Fran Martos.

Sales have started at a good pace, although prices continue to fall as harvest volumes grow. At present, auction prices stand between 0.40 and 0.45 euros per kilo.

The courgette season is not over yet in some Central European countries, like France, the Netherlands or Germany, "although due to them being in the latest stages of the campaign, the product does no longer meet the necessary quality standards," points out Francisco Martínez.

According to the producer and exporter, some cases of New Delhi virus are still detected, although its impact is much lower than last season. "As long as temperatures don't drop, the risk will be there, so we'll have to keep fighting until late October," he added.

"It is also true that there appears to be a better economic climate and a significant improvement in the purchasing power of European consumers, since overall vegetable purchases are on the rise."

The Almeria-based company ships its courgettes to European countries such as France, the UK, Austria, Poland and Switzerland. For this campaign, it has expanded its production area, reaching 100 hectares.