Last week, cucumber prices surged. It should therefore come as no surprise that the average price for week 28 at the VBT auctions exceeded 70 euro cents each—an unprecedented level for this time of year. Cucumber prices have rarely gone higher than about 50 euro cents each over the past decade.
Strong demand, combined with the impact of crop swaps that temporarily reduced supply, are cited as reasons for the unexpected price spike. "In addition, the plants have had a heavy production run due to abundant sunshine, so with the recent darker days, they need some time to recover. As a result, we are seeing a slight decline in production. That doesn't mean supply is low—quite the opposite," stressed Bruno Vuerinckx of BelOrta last Wednesday. "It's just a little less than in previous weeks. If you then combine that with excellent demand, it leads to attractive clock prices."
© Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij – Landbouwcijfers: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers
The average price for loose tomatoes and vine tomatoes rose slightly in week 28. This brings the average price for vine tomatoes to over 67 euro cents per kilo, and for loose tomatoes to over 68 euro cents per kilo. These prices are solid for the time of year, higher than the five-year average and above the levels of the past two years.
© Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij – Landbouwcijfers: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers
Pepper prices saw a correction last week. The price for yellow peppers surged to 1.38 euros per kilo, while red peppers also rose slightly to 74 euro cents per kilo. Overall, the increases in yellow and red peppers bring the average pepper price back in line with the five-year average.
© Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij – Landbouwcijfers: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers
The average price for head lettuce has started to climb again after several difficult weeks, returning to the level of the five-year average. The unit price at the end of week 28 was 35 euro cents per piece.
© Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij – Landbouwcijfers: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers
Strawberry prices, however, remained below the five-year average last week. The average price stood at 4.30 euros per kilo.
© Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij – Landbouwcijfers: www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwcijfers
Want to view the wholesale price graphs? You can find them on the agriculture figures page of the Flemish Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries. All average vegetable prices for week 28 are listed there.