In Slovakia, potatoes reach prices as low as 20 cents per kilogram, with chains frequently selling them for 40 cents; very low compared to last year's 70 to 80 cents. Onions, carrots and other root vegetables are about a fifth cheaper than last year and apples reach 45 cents per kilo, one of the lowest prices in recent memory.
The cheaper food and energy prices this year have driven Slovakia towards mild deflation. Overall food prices have dropped to their lowest level in four years.
The sharp drop in fruit and vegetable prices is having a huge impact on agriculture, especially apple and field vegetable growers and according to Marian Varga, head of Slovakia's Fruit Growers Union, it has also resulted in the destruction of thousands of jobs in the sector.
At the moment, with the harvest reaching its peak, apple growers receive 20 to 28 cents for their fruit, well below the cost of production, which is of 35 cents on average. Only first class apples are still selling for around 1 Euro.
The head of the Vegetable Growers Union, Peter Horvath, has accused retailers of taking advantage of the market situation. "Some cabbage growers are offered ten cents, with retail prices being 3-4 times higher. Tomato and pepper prices at origin are also 50% lower compared with last year, but consumers are still purchasing them for around 1.5 Euro," says Horvath.
Slovakia's largest retail chains, Lidl, Tesco, Kaufland, Billa and Metro, rejected this accusation. Milan Kisztner, a spokesperson for the Slovak Traders Alliance, stressed that "there has been a good harvest of vegetables and fruits, which naturally leads to lower prices." Some chains, such as Metro, have reported record sales of Slovak apples.
