"Veg market stabilising, but there's still scarcity"

Although still high, the prices for courgettes and aubergines are stabilising this week at Almeria auctions. These two vegetables reached record high prices in previous weeks, coinciding with the unusual frosts in much of southern Europe. Aubergines have gone in only four days from 4.20 €/kg down to 2.90 €/kg, while courgettes have dropped from 3.60 €/kg to 1.88 €/kg in less than a week.

It is worth noting that in European markets such as the Dutch, courgettes and aubergines have reached prices of between 1.80 and 1.90 Euro per piece.

"Things are starting to calm down in the courgette and aubergine markets, although it remains to be seen how long this trend will continue, because there is still an overall shortage," explains Ginés González, manager of the Almeria-based company Hortisol. "Today is a day in which programs are closed with supermarkets, so let's wait and see how the market develops. I think red peppers and tomatoes will continue to reach high prices."

According to the exporter, "when prices are so high consumption suffers, and supermarkets are even forced to withdraw the product from the shelves."

Almeria has had very unstable weather in the past few weeks, so the harvest volume has not been that great. "Now it looks like we'll have more sunny days and that could result in the plants producing more," states the exporter.

Hortisol will be attending Fruit Logistica, in Berlin, as an exhibitor. Hall 18, stand A05.