Without giving exact details on the prices at which Morocco is exporting courgettes and tomatoes to the European Union, the latest report by the Prices and Markets Observatory of the Council of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia reveals that sales of Moroccan producers to the European Union increased during the first three weeks of November.
According to this report, which shows the changes in the prices at origin of fruit and vegetable products during week 47, comparing them with those of the same week and the previous two last year, and which also contains an analysis of the sector's situation, the volume of Moroccan tomato exports to the European Union in week 46 this year amounted to 3,697 tonnes, while in week 47 the volume shipped to EU territory doubled, reaching 6,468 tonnes. "In November, the contingent of Moroccan tomatoes exported to the EU is estimated at 18,664 tonnes, 18% more than in the same period of the previous year," clarified the report.
As for courgettes, Moroccan shipments to the European Union in week 46 were quantified at 1,128 tonnes, while a week later they increased to 1,566 tonnes. In November, the volume exported by Morocco during the first three weeks of the month stands at 3,697 tonnes; an increase of 4% compared to the previous season.
When it comes to the current situation of prices and volumes at origin, the report reveals an increase in production volumes; a fact that is certainly having an impact on horticultural product prices. At present, according to data from different auctions in the province of Almeria, both courgette and aubergine prices have experienced a recovery since the start of the week and amount to approximately 1.50 and 1.05 Euro on average, respectively.
"Good and bad"
With the exception of cucumbers and tomatoes, whose average prices are 15% and 20% lower, respectively, all the main fruits and vegetables produced in Almeria have reached higher prices than those of the same period last year.
The report of the Prices and Markets Observatory states that not even the recent price drop of peppers, due to the significant increase in supply, has reduced its average value compared to that of the previous campaign. The price still stands 16% above that of the 2014-2015 season.
As for aubergines, the product registers a weighted average increase of 15%, while that of courgettes is 40% higher than that achieved last season.
