Around Easter the cucumber market was doing better, but in general the season is not doing so well, according to Joop de Hoog from Friskom. And actually it should not be like this: throughout the last decade a rhythm in the cucumber market was found in which good prices were made in 2000, 2005 and 2010. "But 2015 is not following that rhythm so far."
Five years
Cucumber acreage has dropped, and traditionally one good year for every five years is good for cucumbers. After 2000, 2005 and 2010, 2015 has not yet followed in this 'every-five-year' trend, says Joop de Hoog from Friskom. Last week an average price of 20 cents was achieved for most of the 40'ers and 35'ers. "That is higher than last year, but still seven to eight cents lower than in 2012 and 2013," noted De Hoog. "If you cut six, that is the difference of half a Euro per meter."
Supply
The low price is not due to the supply. Due to the first crop rotation, which traditional growers are currently in the middle of, the supply has slightly declined - but the fluctuation is decreasing due to increasing acreage of high wire cultivation. This will not be substituted until the first half of July. Production is also a little behind due to the cold weather. "In April the temperatures in the West were three degrees cooler than last year. Last year at this time the high temperatures were very conducive to growth," says De Hoog. "But with the cold weather we have been having the last few weeks the cucumbers remained hanging on the plant, just like the bell peppers. If the grass is not growing outside, then the vegetables are not growing inside (in the greenhouse)."