The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and the vegetable trade is calm. This was said by Rony de Ceuster of Compra in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. "It's autumn weather and the result of this is that the winter vegetables are reasonably cheap. Chicory and leek are being sold for low prices and there is a huge supply, especially in Roeselare. There is also little export, which causes the prices to plateau. What the next few weeks look like is very dependent on the weather."
There are already early vegetables
"Besides the typical winter vegetables the other vegetables aren't very expensive either. Regular head lettuce the price is between 40 and 50 cents, which isn't much. It's 10 to 15 cents cheaper in Roeselare. It's mid January and there hasn't been any frost at all yet. This time last year there was frost, and winter lasted until April. The result was that the early vegetables arrived later, but now the first new cucumbers have already been auctioned off."
Tomato prices
According to the trader the tomatoes are the only vegetables that have a decent price. "They have to, last year was not a good year for tomatoes. Growers also have to invest more in cultivation now. At the moment the old and new harvest are being sold simultaneously. There is a difference in quality, the new ones are better and can be stored for longer. The older ones have more risks." There is also a full on supply of vegetables from Spain. "Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers have good prices. For instance: the old Belgian tomatoes (dependent on calibre) cost 1.60, the new ones costs 2.10 and the Spanish ones cost 1.40."
For more information:
Rony De Ceuster
Compra BVBA
Kempenarestraat 64/2
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)15 569 202
Fax: +32 (0)15 550 511
