Pepper and green bean prices have increased in the final stage of the autumn campaign. The monitoring report of the Prices and Markets Observatory of the Government of Andalusia also notes that in week 11 (9 to 15 March) domestic prices dropped for cucumbers and tomatoes.
The latter recorded a price drop compared to the previous week, with an average of 0.50 Euro/kg. Supply volumes have increased for on the vine and long life varieties, while smooth tomatoes registered a significant drop. The pear and ribbed varieties remain at similar levels as those of the tenth week of the year.
The Andalusian production marketed at this time corresponds mostly to long cycle plantations. These are crops that have gone through the rigours of a warm autumn and low temperatures in the months of December, January and February, and which are currently at an advanced stage of development. Spring plantings are gradually coming into production, but will not bring significant volumes until April.
The Andalusian Government notes that there is great variability when it comes to prices, depending on quality. The tomatoes from younger plantations are about 50-60% more expensive than the more aged batches. The percentage of marketed production corresponding to the second category is estimated at between 30-40%, with a price difference between the two categories of close to 30%.
Peppers
The average price for peppers recorded a further increase, approaching 0.77 Euro/kg. Yellow bell peppers, along with the green Lamuyo and green bell pepper varieties, reached the highest prices again this week, since their supply remains limited. The limited availability of medium yellow bell peppers, necessary for the tricolour packaging, raised the average price of the product above 1 Euro/kg.
Furthermore, the Region of Murcia has started with small productions of green bell peppers, although its share will not be representative until the month of April, which is when buyers usually switch from Almeria to other sources.
Cucumbers
The average price for cucumbers has dropped to 0.46 Euro/kg, driven by the reduction in price of the Almeria variety. Almeria cucumber prices dropped to 0.33 Euro/kg. The Dutch production is significant, and once the Netherlands has a large production, most international customers switch to Dutch produce, resulting in a depreciation of Almeria's produce.
The availability of short and French varieties will be reduced until the entry into production of the Spring plantings in late March or early April. Short cucumbers, intended mainly for the domestic market, have reached an average price of 1.20 Euro/kg due to supply shortages. The price of French cucumbers has dropped as a result of the increasing supply and stable demand.
Courgettes
Courgette prices have dropped down to an average of 0.93 Euro/ kg. The plantings carried out earlier this year are now in full production, causing an increase in supply that has led to a reduction in average product prices.
The 2014/15 campaign is being positive for courgette growers, who are obtaining some of the best prices due to the significant reduction of exports from Morocco. The floods that hit Morocco's main producing areas during November had a serious impact on the country's open field production, which were unable to return to their usual production levels in the following months.
Aubergines
The average price for aubergines is marked by stability compared to the previous week, standing at an average of 0.35 Euro/kg. Supply has been reduced compared to the tenth week of the year. The low prices registered in the first week of March brought the harvest to a halt, causing a drop in supply volumes; however, prices have remained stable.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands already has own production and is supplying significant volumes of aubergines at low prices, hampering the recovery of prices at origin in Almeria.
Green beans
The average price for green beans has increased to 2.33 Euro/kg. Until mid-April, production volumes in Almeria and Granada will remain insignificant. New green bean plantings in Morocco will become productive within 15 days and will remain so until late May.
Morocco
The average price of Moroccan tomatoes exported under quota to the European Union during week 11 was of 84.60 Euro/100 kg; an increase of 2% compared to the price of the previous week, and 10% higher than last season. Exports under quota amounted to 7,630 tonnes, 32% lower than last week and the previous season. The contingent of Moroccan tomatoes distributed in the EU in the first half of March has been estimated at 18,878 tonnes, 45% of the monthly quota.
Meanwhile, Moroccan courgette exports under quota to the European Union have been estimated at 1,417 tonnes, at an average price of 116.59 Euro/100 kg. The average price increased by 35% compared to the previous week, while the export quota remains at similar levels.
Source: valenciafruits.com
