While last year around this time new carrots were already being harvested, this year the harvest takes a little longer to get going. "I am only expecting this years new harvest in week 26," open-field vegetable trader Kees Heegsma from Lemmer calculates. "There are still a few good batches of ware carrots in the market, but growers with high quality carrots have at least had the opportunity to sell their product at good prices this year."
Enthusiastic
While last year the carrot season ended disastrously, this year there's no reason for the carrot trade to complain. "We are past the peak, but we are in June, so that's normal. Lately a lot has been traded at box prices, and at the highest point up to 250 Euro per box was received. A number of growers became so enthusiastic that they started asking for 300 Euro, but that wasn't feasible. At the moment, the box price varies between 170 and 230 Euro. Quality-wise, the carrot is perfectly fine. Suppliers who want to take a gamble, only do so with good batches."
According to Kees, some of the clients are now switching to supplies from Southern Europe and Israel, but many Dutch, Belgian and Eastern European clients are still going for the ware carrots. "But they're looking from day to day, and large amounts aren't stored anymore. As soon as the Southern European supply increases, more will switch. After the dramatic last season, Spain has sown a lot less, and their carrot supplies are already running out. France will respond, but just like us they're dealing with a late spring."
Russia and mice
"Before the season, we were afraid that the Russian boycott would hit the carrot market, but those consequences were not as bad as expected in the end. A bigger problem this year were the mice, causing damage in a lot of shipments," Kees says. "In the coming weeks, sales of ware carrots will continue for a while. A number of players export to faraway destinations, and the new harvest isn't suited to that yet. In any case, it's a good thing we're starting the season with high prices for the ware carrots. With the new harvest, we can reap the rewards from that!"
