Demand from both retailers and the food service sector is very strong in the run-up to Christmas. Prices are being quoted accordingly. Good progress has been made in harvesting crops over the past month. However, there are reports of many issues in stores from harvesting in such poor conditions. This will likely further reduce the saleable yield of crops.
Lifting continues across parts of Europe. However, temperatures dropped significantly in some parts last week. This will inevitably lead to increased wastage levels and render some crops unsuitable. Heavy rainfall over the last two months has washed soil off ridges and made crops very vulnerable to greening and frost damage. It is reported that there is still in the region of 3% to 5% of the crop in the ground in North Eastern France. In Belgium, 5% to 10% remains, and in Holland, possibly 10% to 15%.
For more information: ifa.ie