The winter officially started on 22 December, although temperatures in the fields of Almeria still remain above 20 degrees during the day; something more usual for spring. In these circumstances, plants have been registering an increased productivity, which inevitably results in a saturated market. Unfortunately, growers have yet to raise their head above water and the crisis in vegetable prices has extended to dates when it is normally already overcome.
However, while prices this week are expected to continue falling, as they usually do during this festive period, it is worth noting that green peppers have recorded a small increase accompanied by higher demand.
Peppers
The supply of green peppers is limited and this has been reflected in prices this week. Green Italian pepper prices have rebounded slightly, from 0.69 to 0.79 Euro on average. Lamuyo green peppers have also increased from 0.70 to 0.81 Euro. Red Lamuyo and bell peppers remain at an average of 0.75 Euro per kilo.
Cucumbers
Compared to last week, prices for Almeria cucumbers have slightly increased, from an average of 0.25 Euro to 0.29 Euro per kilo at auctions, while short cucumbers have fallen to 0.38 Euro per kilo, compared to the average of 0.44 cents registered last week.
Courgettes
While last week prices already dropped by about 20 cents compared to the previous one, settling at around 0.80 Euro, this week thin courgettes already stand at 0.70 Euro and the thick variety costs 0.60 Euro per kilo.
Aubergines
Last week, prices dropped from 0.90 to 0.70 Euro on average, but they have picked up again, reaching 0.95 Euro this week; however, they have fallen again over the last three days and long aubergines currently stand at around 0.78 Euro per kilo.