Tomato prices struggled in July, but the trend that started in August is continuing in September for now. Even the average price for loose tomatoes, which recently dipped below the five-year average, rose above it again in week 37.
At over 88 euro cents, a kilo of loose tomatoes is even slightly more expensive than a kilo of vine tomatoes. The average price for vine tomatoes has been above the five-year average for some time now and was 84.2 euro cents in week 37.
Prices of loose tomatoes (top) and vine tomatoes (bottom)
The cucumber price has been struggling a little more recently. Since mid-August, the price has fallen below the five-year average. The traditional price spike that has been seen in recent years towards the end of August did not materialize. The unit price for cucumbers in week 37 came to 35 euro cents. In week 36, it was 34.6 euro cents.
Prices of cucumbers (each)
Of the three 'major' colors in peppers, green was best paid in week 37, with an average price per kilo of over 1.92 euros. An average price of over 1.18 euros for red peppers is lower than the five-year average. This was also the case for a while at the end of August, while July also proved to be a difficult month in terms of prices. The price of yellow peppers (1.50 in week 37) is also below the five-year average.
If we lump all colors together, the average price of over €1.48 does come in well above the five-year average. The price here has risen for the third week in a row.
Price of peppers
At 1.88 euros a kilo for aubergines and 69.5 euro cents a piece for head lettuce, there is also a price increase here. The latter also applies to strawberries, where the average price is just above 3.50 euros per kilo. Elsanta is the best paid at over 3.90. After a price dip in week 34, strawberry prices are climbing. Last week, it narrowly matched the five-year average again.
All figures can be checked here: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers.
The VBT figures for week 36 can be seen here for fruit and vegetables.
