Greenhouse vegetables continue to trade at rather high prices at Almeria auctions due to strong demand. In the case of tomatoes, the production is notably lower than usual at this time due to delays in the planting, but it is expected to increase by the end of January, FreshPlaza informs.
“Prices are high for all vegetables, without exception, and we have the feeling that we cannot meet all the demand,” says Ginés González, manager of the Almería-based company Frutas Hortisol, based in Roquetas de Mar. “The average price in weeks 49-50 was much higher than last season. This seems to be the trend over the last 3 years since the pandemic era. Without a doubt, these have been some of the best campaigns we remember for every link in the value chain, including the producer,” he says.
“In the case of tomatoes, the production available is about 50% lower than at this time last year. Producers planted about two weeks later than usual due to high temperatures and the risk that this implies in the proliferation of pests and viruses. Also, there was a collapse in the nurseries because almost everyone made their purchases at the same time, which further delayed the transplants,” says Ginés.
“We could say that the tomato harvest this campaign is about 3 weeks behind compared to a normal campaign. Now it is cold, and there are few hours of light, which does not facilitate the growth of the fruits in the plants, but we expect the volumes to start increasing from around January 20, and by February, there will already be a good supply, especially of vine tomatoes,” he says.
The feeling of a tomato shortage in the market has also been accentuated by a lower supply from Morocco, which has had problems with its production. “Moreover, the supply from Turkey is expected to drop significantly in the next 15 days,” says the exporter.
Read also: Morocco’s tomato exports reach new heights in 2022/23
Ginés González warns of the consequences that the possible prolongation of the current drought could have in the short and long term. “There is a great scarcity of water in Murcia and northern Almería, where the area planted with vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or lettuce has already been reduced.”
“Now the watermelon planting is underway and, if we continue to have no rain, we could have a big problem with the harvest, since this is a crop that needs more water. Almería still has enough water in the aquifers, but if it does not rain, we could have problems in many other areas.”
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