In the second quarter of this year, the price of Swiss fruit and vegetables was normal for that time of the year. The supply of Swiss products in supermarkets has increased.
At the start of the cultivation periods of, for example, cauliflower, broccoli and fruit vegetables such as salad cucumbers and tomatoes, the number of imported goods decreased. Compared to the average of the four previous years, prices were higher in the second quarter of 2017 until mid May (week 19). The main reason is the price rise of iceberg lettuce, which was scarce in supply due to the frost and weather conditions with 6.28 CHF/kg (5.45 euro/kg) in May. This is 47% more expensive than during May in the four previous years. From week 20 until June, the price of daily food products was lower than the average of the previous four years.
Products that significantly decreased in price were leeks (green), lettuce, courgettes and yellow onions. Many of the low priced products were available in large volumes because the warm weather in May had a good effect on the harvest of many varieties. Additionally, according to industry experts, there was a lower demand in supermarkets during the summer months of June and July.
Better harvests for many vegetable varieties in second quarter
In the second quarter of 2017, the frost in April had a major impact on the fruit production in Switzerland. The vegetable varieties were less damaged than the fruit varieties and the damage led to immediate consequences. In May and June, however, temperatures were high which stimulated the production of many vegetable varieties (with the exception of corn salad). Among these vegetables were also the following: from January to the end of June, lettuce, tomatoes and salad cucumbers had a higher national production of 19% to 35% than in the first half year. The producer prices and supermarket prices of these products have accordingly decreased in June, as many products were available.
When considering the half-year prices, the length of the time period
must be taken into account. The producer prices (-10%) and retail prices (+18) of salad cucumbers developed very differently. The high retail price especially is a consequence of the first quarter when the imports from the Mediterranean were limited. In June, the salad cucumber price was lower than during spring, due to the larger amounts for producers (-14%) as well as retailers (-7%).
Source: BLW