The supply of Spanish fruit and vegetables always seemed so easy, but it will become increasingly difficult to receive the correct volumes in coming years. “This year is already a good example, although we are now also coping with shortages because of the bad weather. Yet is has been apparent for a while that the number of cultivators is decreasing in Spain, because costs are too high and the prices they receive for their products are too low. It was about time, and it is good to finally be able to fairly compensate Spanish cultivators this season. Because it is obvious that our market can just pay these fair prices,” says Cédric Geens from importer W. Jonckheere.
Prices too low
Geens indicates that prices for Spanish vegetables were very low in recent years. “Too low, even. In the past, when they still had their own, cheap currency, it was still affordable in Spain. But when the euro was introduced, all debits increased. Energy, wages, and all kinds of other things became increasingly more expensive. Prices of vegetables on the other hand, did not increase in relation to the costs. And that has now become obvious. The euro hit us less hard than it did Spain. Less supply from Spain is shipped to Belgium and the Netherlands year after year, because it is no longer profitable for many cultivators. It has become a problem. Either we should pay more, or this trend will continue in coming years.”
Recovery
Prices are extremely high this year, partially thanks to the climate. “You see consumers getting a bit of a fright, but they soon recover. That is because people here have enough money to pay a good price. Why has this not happened earlier? Consumers are used to low prices, they get confused when that changes. Many people also do not understand the situation, they should be told that cultivators are receiving too little for their products in Spain. Bell pepper for one euro is not nearly enough. We should be paying more money for food in coming years!”
No more stiff prices this season
According to Geens, the current vegetable shortage will last for a while longer. “The weather has done much damage, and that will be noticeable for a while longer. We are of course very dependent on Spain in winter, and it will not be easy to get products elsewhere because of that. It is expected that prices will become more regular, but they will not become very low again. No more stiff prices for Spanish vegetables this season.”
