Spanish growers take advantage of delays in Dutch production

The Spanish greenhouse growers in Almeria seem to pull their crops through a little longer than usual. They are trying to continue as long as possible in order to take advantage of the good market prices and lower supplies from growers in other parts of Europe.

This is also outlined in the recent analytic report by UK market intelligence service ProduceView. Their visit to some of the UK's largest retailers this week shows that Spain is still the major supplier of greenhouse produce to the British supermarkets.

Organic cucumbers

Spanish organic cucumbers are offered this week by retailers Tesco, Asda, Co-op, Waitrose and Lidl. For the third week in a row, Marks and Spencer was the only retailer offering British organic cucumbers.

Dutch organic cucumbers have returned to Sainsbury's this week. Morrisons did not have any organic cucumbers in stock this week. Prices are between £1- for an organic cucumber at Asda and Tesco, and £ 1.35 for the organic cucumbers offered at Waitrose.

Bell peppers

Spain is also still a dominant supplier of bell peppers in all colors. For the first time this week, Asda and Co-op are offering Dutch mixed peppers and Waitrose has finally some British peppers in stock. Lidl, Aldi, M&S, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's all offered Spanish peppers.

The mixed peppers are on promotion this week at Lidl, at 92 pence for a pack. The other supermarkets offer the packs for a price between 96p (Morrisons) and £1.50 at M&S.

Moroccan baby plum tomatoes

Moroccan baby plum tomatoes were available on the shelves of Tesco, Asda and Co-op. This week Sainsbury's bought baby plum tomatoes from the Canary Islands and Morrisons, Waitrose, M&S and Lidl are offering Spanish product. Prices are as low as £3,- for a pack at Tesco, to as high as £8.10 for a pack at M&S.

More Spanish product expected

It is expected that the Spanish growers will try to extend their production with a couple of more weeks, as the growers in Holland are still not in full production. A shortage of sunlight in the first part of the year has delayed their fruit setting. The fairly nice weather of the last weeks however will have an influence on the coming supply, as it is expected that large quantities will all come at once and disturb the market later on.