The wholesale prices of cucumbers and chicken meat will be almost equal in March, according to the Centre for Economic Research in agriculture. This month's prospects point to the price of a tonne of cucumbers reaching nearly 2,600 Lev (about 1,330 Euro), while chicken is expected to reach just over 2,700 Lev (about 1,381 Euro).
In February, vegetables reached a retail price of 4.47 Lev per kilo and the values are expected to continue rising during the third month of the year, reaching the highest levels in recent years. Prices for greenhouse vegetables in the domestic market this winter are among the highest ever, as pointed out by analysts. Particularly significant is the increase in the price of cucumbers. Wholesale prices of greenhouse vegetables have increased by 6% in February and by 40% annually.
Tomatoes, however, recorded the biggest difference between the wholesale and retail prices, reaching about 45 percent. For example, last month tomatoes were traded on average for 2.95 Lev per kilo (about 1.51 Euro), while the wholesale price stood at or slightly below 2 Lev (about 1.02 Euro), depending on whether the product was greenhouse-grown or imported. In cucumbers, where producer prices are much higher, the difference between the retail and wholesale prices reached 35%.
According to experts, the purchase prices are favourable, but the domestic supply is not great. They also believe that the ones profiting most are fruit and vegetable processors. The report points out that the shortage of fresh produce, in combination with high prices, makes consumers choose more canned vegetables.
Source: monitor.bg