The spring season is not being good for some products, such as courgettes or aubergines, whose prices have stayed low. Aubergines have been sold for less than thirty euro-cents, as there is some oversupply combined with low domestic demand. Meanwhile, courgettes have been sold for between forty five and thirty euro-cents per kilo, as not only did the weather conditions slightly advance the start of the production period in France and Italy, but there has also been a great supply in Almeria.
As for tomatoes, prices remain stable. In the second half of the month, a further increase is expected in the production of spring crops. Long-life tomatoes have been sold for between sixty and thirty two cents; the pear type has reached starting prices of sixty cents and closed at forty cents, and tomatoes on the vine have started at around forty five cents and finished at twenty four cents per kilo. The Moroccan production is very large and this has held Almeria's prices back.
Green bean prices have fallen slightly this week. The Helda have ranged between two Euro and forty cents and one Euro and fifty cents; the long Perona has reached an average of two Euro and thirty cents and the Strike has stood at an average of two Euro and twenty cents per kilo.
The pepper campaign is in its final stages and supply is limited. The Green Italian is the most expensive variety, with prices ranging between ninety five cents and fifty cents per kilo. The Green Lamuyo ranges between seventy and forty cents and the red reaches starting prices of eighty cents, closing at fifty cents per kilo. Yellow bell peppers stand at an average of thirty-five cents, while the red ones have been sold for between eighty and fifty cents and the green has stood at an average of thirty-five cents per kilo.
The situation of cucumbers is still unstable. While the price of the long one stands at an average of twenty-five cents, the French one has recorded starting prices of sixty-six cents and final prices of fifty cents. Black short cucumbers have been sold for between forty and twenty euro-cents per kilo.
The watermelon campaign has already kicked off with some small, but high quality volumes. Until May, the supply will not be significant. As reported by the Government of Andalusia, the weather conditions recorded during the crop's development have been favourable. The only circumstance worth noting was the low relative humidity and high thermal gradient suffered by plantations during the month of March. This could have an impact on the fruit harvested in late April or early May.
Galia melons reach starting prices of seventy cents, with prices closing at around fifty cents per kilo. The earliest melon varieties are of a superior quality compared to those of the previous season. They have good calibres and netting and suitable organoleptic characteristics. In the month of April, the melon season will come to an end in Brazil and its position in the market will be taken over by Senegal with its Piel de Sapo melons, which fill the gap between Brazil and Almeria.
