The market situation for most Belgian vegetables looks fine at the moment. Prices for both greenhouse vegetables and outdoor vegetables have increased or remained high in general in recent weeks. However, for vine tomatoes it is still not looking good. Benny Cuypers of LAVA gives an update on the Belgian vegetable market.
Cucumber and bell pepper
“Cucumber prices have gained in strength in recent weeks. The price of bell peppers was under pressure in the past ten days, because of an increase in supply. This concerned mainly the colours red and yellow. By now, I think we are past the peak,” Cuypers says. “Red was back at around one Euro again today, and yellow sold at 1.25 to 1.30. I expect bell pepper prices to increase further, considering we are now entering a period with less production.”
Aubergines
Cuypers indicates that prices for aubergines are gradually increasing. “Last week prices fluctuated around 70 to 80 cents, and today they were over one Euro again. Production of these vegetables will also decrease in coming weeks, traditionally that starts around 15 August, when the hours of sunshine start decreasing per day. Another reason for the increase in prices is that many immigrants return from holiday around that date, and they consume many aubergines.”
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are still in difficulty. “The difference in prices between vine and loose tomatoes is striking. Vine tomatoes were at around 35 to 40 cents at the end of last week, but today started picking itself up to reach 45 cents. Loose tomatoes are sold at around 20 to 25 cents.”
Outdoor vegetables: “Outdoor vegetable cultivators do not have much to complain about price-wise at the moment. The cause of the higher prices for outdoor vegetables is the wet weather in the months of May and June. Production is still not at its regular level because of this, and you can tell by the prices.”
