During week 8, the auctions of the VBT achieved an average price of 43.7 euro cents for cucumbers, thus ending the price decline of the past couple of weeks. However, the average price remains below the five-year average.
The tomato price has also stabilized, though it remains below average. On average, a kilo of vine tomatoes costs 1.275 euros, and a kilo of loose tomatoes cost 1.465 euros.
Head lettuce and lettuce types experience a slight price recovery that is similar to that of cucumbers. On average, a head lettuce costs just under 30 euro cents. The average price for corn salad (1.926 euros per kilo), red oak leaf lettuce from the greenhouse (43.3 euro cents each), and Lollo Rossa from the greenhouse (67.2 euro cents each) also increased in week 8.
It is challenging to grow strawberries in dark, gray, and warm February. The fact that the prices increased over the past weeks gives a ray of light, yet, 9.33 euros per kilo remains modest compared to previous years.
However, asparagus prices were above average in week 8. Around this time, more growers start production so volumes are expected to increase. The average price per kilo for loose asparagus in week 8 was 15.39 euros, while packaged asparagus was 16.86 euros per kilo. Both prices are considerably high for this time of year.
