Low prices for Israeli peppers

An abundance of Spanish peppers in Europe has resulted in low prices for Israeli growers seeking to export their product to Europe. While Israeli growers have suffered a string of seasons with low prices in recent years, this season could turn out to be worse than those past seasons.

“The situation right now is very difficult, and it was very unexpected,” said Avi Kadan of Adafresh. While he hoped the market would turn around at the beginning of the year, prices have not gotten much better than five or six euros per box. Kadan points to good weather in Spain as one of the reasons there is so much product available. While previous seasons forced many growers to abandon their pepper programs, Kadan thinks this season could prompt even more growers to avoid peppers in the future.

“If things continue this way, it will be a big situation, and growers will need the support of the government,” said Kadan. “The Israeli season will stretch into the summer, so it's still too early to say the entire season will be bad. We're still hoping that next month will be better.”

The market for herbs, on the other hand, has remained stable. With good supplies of both herbs and peppers, Russia would seem like a good outlet for Israeli exports. But Kadan noted that the devaluation of the ruble has made Russia a difficult market to work in.

For more information:
Avi Kadan
Adafresh LTD
Tel:+972 73 2332223
Mobile: +972 52 3336545
avi@adafresh.co.il
www.adafresh.co.il