Sales of dessert apples above previous year's level
The sale of domestic dessert apples went into the next round in February. The weighted selling price for dessert apples from ramp, without VAT. KL I regardless of sizing and packaging, including large crates conventional production had lost some of its substance and was 0.56 EUR / kg.
As of February 01, the nationwide level of conventional apple storage stood at around 95,000 t, nearly twice as high as in the corresponding month of the low-earning prior-year period. The lion's share - 82,800 t or 87% of the total volume - is stored in Styria. Organoleptic weaknesses of stored goods were still the exception.
Transnational stores with dessert apples developed according to current foreign trade statistics of Statistics Austria 2018 in favor of Austrian marketers. In direct year-to-year comparison, exports increased by 12% in volume and fixed prices in the first half of the year by 80% in value. In principle, imports of apples from overseas should not be necessary this year. There are enough goods. Chilean, South African and New Zealand goods, will have to find their place in domestic fruit shelves again this year -despite the local stocks- thanks to long-term plans, purchase guarantees and imports by the retail chains. It is always tight.
Carrot market remains relaxed
Nothing new on the carrot market. The quality of the goods is satisfactory and was confirmed in February by constant envelopes. The domestic market was and still is well supplied and the quantities demanded are sufficiently available. Lower Austrian carrots, washed in a 5 kg sack, were unaltered with an average producer price of 47,50 Euro / dt. traded off the ramp. After subdued exports at the beginning of the year, it was increasingly possible to conclude deals with foreign trading partners.
It can be assumed that consumers will not have to do without local fresh carrots until the new harvest in early June.
Onion campaign is running satisfactorily
After a renewed increase in the previous month, the producer price for Lower Austrian onion had settled: loose, cleaned and sorted in boxes at an average of 50 EUR / dt. Thus, the ceiling is likely to be reached for now. The goods were available and were willingly delivered by the farmers. To counteract higher failures, weaker conditioned batches had changed hands below and below value.
The good demand for red, white and red merchandise remains unbroken both at home and abroad.
A look at last year's foreign trade figures shows that exports in volume compared to the previous year 2017 increased from 46,000 t to 56,800 t by 23% and revenues corresponding to international market prices by 63% to 19.75 million euros. could be increased. A very satisfactory management year for Austrian onion growers is in the last quarter of February.
End of season for domestic potatoes foreseeable
In Lower Austria, it was possible to get 25 EUR / dt for table potatoes. The prices for small packable, wire-worm-free premium goods with AMA seal of approval were again raised to 30 EUR / dt in the previous month. Nevertheless, sales in the domestic market were at a level, typical of the season.
Due to the tight availability, exports were barely made at all this year. Inventories are becoming increasingly thin nationally and throughout Europe. Particularly festive but also floury varieties could be scarce in the course of the next few weeks. The marketing season is on the home straight.