In recent weeks the tomato market was characterised by low prices. Since the end of April, the prices have been falling, but this has now stabilised and there seem to be a good few weeks coming. "The productions stop increasing after the longest day of the year, and the demand is also pulling up, so the holiday period looks good," a trader confirms the market situation. "After that we will have to wait and see what the holiday period brings. It could be disappointing."
Although the prices in the period April-June weren't the highest in recent years, the price development this year is different compared to last year. "Last year the prices were higher than they are now and started to fall in mid-June. This year the preseason is over and there is a glimpse of a rise in price."
Trying to pinpoint the reason for the rise in price is always difficult. What is clear is that Spain was empty almost two weeks ago and the supply from Morocco is declining. "But this was no different last year. What does play a role is that the weather this spring was worse than last year, resulting in a lower consumption. This is despite productions in the Netherlands and Belgium were at a good level."
At the moment the vine tomatoes are being sold for around 50 cents per kilo and this is normal for the time of year, whilst the prices for loose tomatoes are also 'normal'. For cherry and baby plum tomatoes the prices for day trade even rose above 2 Euro per kilo for a while. "Above average prices for the time of year. A week and a half ago it wasn't like this. It will be different in a week, but unfortunately, the prices are always slower to rise than they are to fall."