Compared to October 2016, there was an increase in the harvested volumes of cauliflowers (+61%), fennel (+100%), butterhead lettuce (+47%), potatoes (+75%) and various types of radicchio (+50%).
As regards prices, after the encouraging months of August and September characterised by satisfactory quotations for producers, buyers showed caution when purchasing some products and a lack of interest for others. This led to a general drop in quotations. The stillness of purchasing managers was caused by the large amounts of southern and foreign produce available in destination markets, often sold at low prices.
Thanks to the good temperatures in October and the lack of rain, the produce was characterised by excellent quality without phytosanitary problems.
If we analyse the single productions, we can see how the price of garlic continued to drop despite the lower volumes collected compared to October 2016.
Beetroots, swiss chard and puntarellas continued to do well as demand remained constant.
October was a positive month for leafed carrots as well, in terms of both quantities (+2% compared to 2016) and quotations (+29%). The produce was satisfactory for producers as well as buyers. The quotations of carrots without leaves also increased thanks to constant demand.
For cauliflower, quotations were lower than 2016 for the white variety while they increased for broccoli and green varieties. Quantities were fluctuating.
The production of cabbage was above average, leading to lower demand. This of course meant lower quotations with batches remaining unsold.
October also saw the start of the autumn fennel campaign. Quality was good and, over the first few weeks, the limited quantities available were in demand leading to good quotations. These dropped when supply increased mid-month, but remained higher than 2016.
Endive and lettuce did well with increasing quantities and quotations. Demand was lively during the first half of the month, then quotations dropped by 20/30 eurocents due to the more abundant volumes available but remained higher than last year.
Sweet potatoes
Prices of sweet potatoes were satisfactory and the constant demand absorbed all the produce.
The three potato types (oblong, round and red) didn't do so well as negotiations were slow, favouring low quotations below production costs.
Leeks also did poorly as prices remained low despite the fact that quantities available were much lower than 2016.
Parsley also recorded low prices despite the non-excessive supply. Even the curly variety, which is a niche production, was difficult to sell despite the limited volumes.
As regards radicchio, the market didn't show a lot of interest for red oblong, red Verona and red round varieties, while things were better for variegated from Lusia and open variegated varieties, leading to an increase in quotations.
Celery prices were positive for both the white and green varieties, while volumes decreased over the course of the month. Grades and colour were much appreciated by buyers.
Pumpkin volumes were low, as were quotations. Demand increased for the ornamental varieties towards the end of the month (Halloween), leading to an increase in prices.
The continuous increase of courgette volumes did not affect prices, which actually increased compared to the already high ones of the previous month.
Considerable volumes of apples and pears were available on the market. Prices of the former were positive after months of suffering, while those of the latter dropped considerably.
Sweet potatoes
Prices of sweet potatoes were satisfactory and the constant demand absorbed all the produce.
The three potato types (oblong, round and red) didn't do so well as negotiations were slow, favouring low quotations below production costs.
Leeks also did poorly as prices remained low despite the fact that quantities available were much lower than 2016.
Parsley also recorded low prices despite the non-excessive supply. Even the curly variety, which is a niche production, was difficult to sell despite the limited volumes.
As regards radicchio, the market didn't show a lot of interest for red oblong, red Verona and red round varieties, while things were better for variegated from Lusia and open variegated varieties, leading to an increase in quotations.
Celery prices were positive for both the white and green varieties, while volumes decreased over the course of the month. Grades and colour were much appreciated by buyers.
Pumpkin volumes were low, as were quotations. Demand increased for the ornamental varieties towards the end of the month (Halloween), leading to an increase in prices.
The continuous increase of courgette volumes did not affect prices, which actually increased compared to the already high ones of the previous month.
Considerable volumes of apples and pears were available on the market. Prices of the former were positive after months of suffering, while those of the latter dropped considerably.
