"After a bad start to the season as far as prices are concerned, they are at a good level again for this time of the year," a trader explains. "However, quantities are down a lot and it will be difficult to make up for this. Especially after a disastrous season good prices need to remain at a good level."
"Shortage of well-coloured tomatoes"
He mentions that there is mainly a shortage of properly coloured tomatoes. "The production in countries such as Spain is just about over and as a result there are hardly any alternatives. Especially for tomatoes on the vine one is dependent on the Dutch (and Belgian) harvest in Europe. Loose tomatoes are grown in a number of countries, but the volumes really came from the Netherlands" he emphasizes.
The trader says, that since about two weeks ago the demand for tomatoes on the vine from Spain and Russia has increased well. It is expected that this week the prices for 'on the vine' will remain reasonably stable and the price for the loose ones will increase somewhat. In the course of next week there will be more production. Although there will be no exaggerated numbers and we are dependent on the growers." Nevertheless he expects the increased production to start soon. "This because supply prognosis for week 23 and 24 are not too high."