ught changing market situations for Israeli growers. While carrot prices started off strong, competing products from Europe cut down on prices. Grapes had an off year, but potato growers were pleased with the way this year has progressed.“Demand was good and prices were high for conventional carrots,” said Mehadrin's Tomer. “But that was before Spain started with their carrot exports.” After several weeks of a welcoming market for Israeli product, Spanish carrots came onto the European market and boosted overall volume. Subsequently, prices have come down, and Tomer thinks only an unforeseen shortage is likely to bring prices up. Organic carrots, on the other hand, have done well.
“Organic carrots have enjoyed a good, stable market,” said Tomer. “In the beginning we had some quality issues, but that's now over.” Likewise, the situation for potatoes has been very good.
“The p
otato market is very high,” said Tomer. “There's not enough product to fulfill demand.” As a result, where brokers could normally get 50 Euro cents per kilo in previous years, they are now enjoying prices as high as 65 Euro cents per kilo.On the other hand, it was another bad year for Mehadrin's grape program.
“We've had grapes for a few years now, and this was another year in which we didn't do well,” said Tomer. “So we've decided to discontinue our grape program.” Ever the optimist, however, Tomer noted that the situation could change in the future and it's possible they could start exporting grapes again.
For more information:
Tomer Ezra
MTEX Holland B.V.
Tel: +31 180 642 570
Mob: +31 620 101 259
Fax: +31 180 642 571
tomer@mtex.nl
www.mehadrin.co.il