Only Spain and Greece still active in cucumber market
Staff Writer |
With Spain and Greece as the only ones active, just two countries were involved in the cucumber business. The Netherlands and Belgium had left the market.
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The supply was limited, but sufficient to satisfy demand. The prices initially dropped in Frankfurt and Cologne, only to rise again from Wednesday onwards.
In Munich, increased deliveries from Greece prevented any price increases with regard to the Spanish batches. In Hamburg, although demand intensified, this had little effect on the prices. And in Berlin, too, prices remained at their previous levels.
It was Turkey and Spain that prevailed in the mini-cucumbers segment. Greek and Dutch batches complemented the events. The sales were mostly continuous. Most of the distributors stayed at the prices they previously had. It was only in Frankfurt that Turkish produce saw its prices drop a little, while prices for the Spanish vegetables picked up somewhat.
Apples
Germany continued to dominate the market. Sales dropped off when expected, but they were quite adequate in most places. The pricing was equally unpredictable.
Pears
As usual, Italy determined the events. Overall, there was a fairly quiet demand; it could be satisfied quite easily. Changes in the pricing were rare since supply and demand were sufficiently balanced.
Table grapes
Imports from overseas were now clearly dominating the business: Peruvian Sugraone and Crimson Seedless as well as Brazilian Crimson Seedless and Thompson Seedless formed the basis of the assortment.
Oranges
Spanish Navelina were sold most often in the trade in the orange trade. Overall, sales accelerated, thanks to the Advent and the lower temperatures outside. The prices remained mostly at the same levels.
Small citrus fruits
Regarding clementines, Spain dominated the market as well. The weeks around the feast of St Nicholas week will traditionally see an improvement in sales, and these were indeed mostly satisfying.
Lemons
The product range consisted of Spanish Primofiori and Turkish Enterdonato. Although availability was limited, it was enough to meet the constant demand.
Bananas
Demand had been quiet at different times. The availability then had to be reduced somewhat. This would usually ensure constant prices.
Cauliflower
Italy called the shots, more so than France or Italy. Spain and Germany completed the range with small quantities. A wide range of qualities on various occasions led to wide price gaps.
Lettuce
Prices of Spanish ice-berg lettuce dropped off. Sometimes the lower prices really worked. Quality was not always optimal and the availability was much larger than the demand.
Cucumbers
With Spain and Greece as the only ones active, only two countries were involved in the cucumber business. The Netherlands and Belgium had left the market. Supply was limited, but sufficient to satisfy the demand.
Tomatoes
Spanish, Dutch and Belgian supplies formed the basis of the ranges. The supply situation had not changed significantly, but the protests in France had an unpredictable impact on availability.
Sweet peppers
Spain clearly dominated events. Although the availability was limited, it was sufficient to meet the continuous demand. In stores without promotions or the like, prices often remained at the same levels of last week. ■