The first week of 2024 at the VBT auctions was characterized by rising cucumber prices and slightly declining tomato prices. Most lettuce prices also experienced a slight dip.
A kilo of vine tomatoes was quoted at 2.31 euros in week 1 at the auctions of the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives. A kilo of loose tomatoes was just over 2.25 euros. With these prices, 2024 starts at higher price levels than in recent years.
The unit price for cucumbers is also above that. The unit price for a cucumber comes out at 87 euro cents. In 2023, a price peak was achieved in week 7 at 1.15 euros per kilo. After that, the market slumped.
Compared to last winter season, the (LED) lights are on in many more tomato and cucumber greenhouses.
Iceberg lettuce finishes week 1 with an average price of 62.6 euro cents per piece. A price that is higher than in recent years. In the last weeks of 2023, the price was very high, with a peak in week 52 at 92 euro cents per piece.
All figures can be checked here: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers.
The VBT figures for week 52 can be seen here for vegetables and fruit.