“A cold snap in the production areas caused an increase in the prices of Turkish sweet peppers by 30 to 40 per cent,” tells Semih Yildirim, general manager of trading company OR-PA. In Turkey the temperatures dropped suddenly in the last few weeks, heavy snowfall and temperatures below zero have a negative influence on the harvest and on trade with the local farmers. “The lower temperatures have a negative influence on the yield, and at the moment there is a fall in the supply from Turkey,” continues the manager from Munich.
Increased production costs
The situation can improve in one or two weeks according to Yildirim. “As soon as the weather improves the prices will stabilize again. It all depends on the weather.” But in the coming days the temperatures will remain low. “The quality doesn’t fluctuate, only the production costs are increased, the glass houses use more energy for heating,” explains the expert.
“No large fluctuations”
The increase in production cost will be noticed by the customers in Germany. But the increased prices will barely influence the demand. “The demand for sweet peppers is continuous and stable. There are no large fluctuations,” states Yildirim. The Russian trade embargo has no influence on the sweet pepper market. “Russia buys mainly lemons, pomegranates and tomatoes in Turkey. And there was only a small decrease in tomatoes,” states the manager of OR-PA.
Prices continue to increase
“January and February are slower months. And probably the demand will decrease slightly in the coming months,” explains Semih Yildirim, “At the moment the prices keep on rising and the next few weeks will show how exactly the situation will develop.”
The trading company OR-PA imports high quality fruit and vegetables all over Europe. The general manager of trading company OR-PA Semih Yildirim founded the company in 2002. At the moment the company supplies over 300 satisfied traders.
