The beginning of the year has been a turning point for Spanish open ground and greenhouse vegetables, which have generally recorded lower prices around week 3 than they did during the 2022/23 campaign.
"It's true that, in general, this campaign's prices are not reaching last year's levels, but at Difrusol we have been growing in terms of volume, so we are not dissatisfied with the results we are obtaining, both in Almeria and Murcia (Spain)," says Borja Herrera.
"There has been a great supply of aromatic herbs, so prices have been lagging behind those of previous years. The lettuce supply has been subject to constant ups and downs throughout the campaign, and, after a recovery, it seems that the market is stagnating again." The price of Romaine lettuce, for example, stood at an average of 0.247 euros/kilo in week 10, according to data shared by the Ministry, while in the same week of the previous year, it amounted to around 0.39 euros.
"Due to the overproduction of broccoli, producers we usually work with were persuading us to continue loading," says Borja. "This situation and the kind of clients we have been working with are the reason that we have marketed broccoli more than in previous years. Namely, the broccoli could be obtained at a very interesting price, which is unfortunate for the producers."
"For about 15 days now, prices have been rising and broccoli is now marketed for a more reasonable price, after hitting rock bottom two weeks ago." In week 10, the average price per kilo did not even reach 48 cents and was below the average of the last five campaigns, while in the same week of last year, it amounted to around 93 cents/kilo, according to prices published by the MAPA. "This week, we are already marketing it at about 1.40-1.50 euros/kilo, which allows for better price levels for producers."
When it comes to cauliflowers, the campaign has been quite "atypical," says Borja. At moments there was no supply, especially in December and early January. As a result, prices were very high. Currently, the situation has been normalized, prices are low but manageable."
While the open-ground vegetable campaigns continue, the greenhouse ones are gradually coming to a close, paving the way for the local European productions. "The impact of that isn't visible yet, but the quality of some products is decreasing. We are withdrawing to avoid problems at the destination. For example, we have started to load fewer peppers. We are still doing some red, but we have almost stopped working with the green and yellow ones."
"In Almeria, we are already getting ready for the watermelon and the melon season. So far, we have not heard that the crops are affected by any abnormal conditions, so the campaign should have a normal development and we expect to start with the first fruits from week 17," says Borja.
For more information:
Difrusol S.L.
Avda. De España n.º 4. Planta 1-7
30562 Ceutí, Murcia, Spain
Tel.: +34 968 694 250
info@difrusol.com
www.difrusol.com