Spanish vegetable shortages are once again past their peak. Stephan van Marrewijk, working in the commercial department of the Spanish cooperative Vicasol, looks back on a bizarre market situation. "There have been moments of big shortages and, therefore, high prices that have turned the whole market upside down. These fluctuations are too big for regular business and normal sales towards retail and wholesale."
"We literally had a gap in production and got a three-week cold front on top of that, which practically stopped production. The colder nights were particularly disastrous for peppers and aubergines. The tomatoes also lagged behind and did not color fast enough, so the lower production also caused too much unripe crop. But gradually, the weather is starting to turn around, and production is rising steadily."
"We will also get back to normal levels with production, especially of courgette, cucumbers, aubergines, and tomatoes. Only peppers and pepper specialties (sweet tip, sweetbite tribelli, etc.) will lag behind, and for these, shortages will persist for a few weeks anyway," says Stephan. "Now it is hoped that no more rain and Sahara sand (Calima) will throw a spanner in the works, so we will have a more normal spring harvest with a regular supply, which is also important for the melon season that is set to start again here in Almería in mid-April."
For more information:
Stephan van Marrewijk 
Vicasol
04738 Puebla de Vicar, Almería
Tel.: +34 950 55 32 00
stephan@vicasol.com
www.vicasol.es