The greenhouse vegetable season is slowly getting started in Belgium. The supply of tomatoes and cucumbers is increasing daily. These products are sold at fair prices, says Rony de Ceuster of Compra in Sint-Katelijne-Waver.
Cucumbers
"Since last week, the cucumbers have become a lot more expensive. Prices were still around 40 cents then, now we're at 70 cents each. Many are switching from Spanish to Belgian produce now, which causes the price pressure on Belgian cucumbers to go up, but that's always the case with the change of seasons. For now, Belgian supplies are still too low to meet demand."
Tomatoes and lettuce
There are also more tomatoes on the market now. "The prices are fluctuating a bit and the past few days, between 1.70 and 2 Euro was paid. I expect that prices won't increase much more. Production is slowly growing now, with the days lengthening."
Winter vegetables
For winter vegetables, the prices vary. For savoy cabbage, high prices are paid, one Euro each at the moment. They're doing quite well on the market. Lamb's lettuce is also in high demand, with prices of around 10 Euro per kilo. On the other hand, Belgian endive isn't doing so well, there is a massive supply of Belgian endive, and prices are low. It's also not a great time for Brussels sprouts. The mechanically cleaned ones go for nothing, and the manually cleaned ones barely fetch 80 cents." For next week, De Ceuster is expecting business to be quiet due to the spring holidays.
For more information:
Rony de Ceuster
Compra BVBA
Kempenarestraat 64/2
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver - Belgium
T: +32 (0) 15 569 202
F: +32 (0) 15 550 511
www.comprabvba.be