This season, ZON fruit & vegetables is currently auctioning about 25% less Spanish vegetables volumes than last year. That's according to this Dutch cooperative's auction sales manager, Els van Herpen. "We received less product up to Christmas. That's because there was less day trade demand. That's mainly due to the hospitality industry lockdown in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. After New Year, there was an upturn. But then Spain was hit by cold weather, and the supply lagged."
"There's been minimal availability of Spanish produce in recent weeks. We didn't receive the desired volume of all products either. The cold snap hit aubergines, courgettes, and cucumbers particularly hard. There have been very few of these available in the last few weeks."
"However, that's gradually changing. The weather has now cleared in Spain, and temperatures are higher. At present, bell peppers' availability differs by color. There were very few tomatoes, especially vine tomatoes, available this week. But if the conditions remain as they are, the supply should normalize," explains Els.
"It's the same for prices. These were very high during the cold snap. These, too, are now gradually returning to normal. Aubergines were extremely expensive and are now falling a little. Courgette and iceberg lettuce prices fell last week already. As did those of bell peppers. But these are still a bit on the high side this week."
"Cucumber prices remained firm last week but are now also dropping. We're working with most of the same Spanish cooperatives and products as last season. Fortunately, our clients continue to buy well. Although more sales are currently being made via our web auction than in the auction room," Els concludes.
For more information:
ZON fruit & vegetables
104 Venrayseweg
5928 RH, Venlo, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 773 239 758
Email: els.van.herpen@royalzon.com
Website: www.royalzon.com