Last week there was talk of a revival with tomatoes due to increasing demand, the warmer weather, a shortage here and there and promotions in supermarkets. Prices went up and even hit 70 cents. But at this moment the market has fallen again," says Benny Cuypers from LAVA.
There were some shifts this year in tomato acreage, from the ordinary bunch tomatoes to specialties. Cuypers believes that, so far, the season has been pretty smooth. "We had a pretty good start, especially when compared with last year, it was really bad then. Then there were some ups and downs, and now we have high production levels and there is pressure on the market. In the last few days prices have been tumbling towards 40 cents. So now it is going to get trickier, normally we can keep hold at 40 cents. Falling farther than this would not be good of course."
Bell peppers are doing well
What is striking with the greenhouse vegetables is that the bell peppers have done well so far this season. "We have had good prices. Last week the price was around 2 Euro, now the price has fallen to 1.30 for the red and yellow bell peppers. The green bell pepper price is lower, around 1 Euro; but in general the three colors are doing well so far."
For more information:
Benny Cuypers
Commercialisatie LAVA
tel: 003215504253
fax: 003215504262
benny.cuypers@lava.be
www.lava.be