Weekly summary – fresh-market.pl price analysis (20-26.04.2009)

Last week the upward trend in prices of apples was continued. The price of Idared 70 +, in cartons was to 1.50 PLN (0.33 euro)/kg. The price of other red varieties 70 + was about 1.35 PLN (0.30 euro)/kg and Ligol 75+ - up to 1.60 PLN (0.36 euro)kg; Golden – up to 2.20 PLN (0.49 euro)/kg and Mutsu - up to 2.40 PLN (0.54 euro)/kg.

However fruit growers agree that it is difficult to say about profitability because growing prices cover only the increasing cost of storage.

On the market of fresh vegetables there are more and more early vegetables. Generally one can observe dropping prices of these vegetables and growing supply. However last week this trend was disrupted by adverse weather. Low temperatures during nights slowed the growth of some vegetables down especially tomatoes and cucumbers. As a result their prices stopped decreasing and in some cases slightly increased.

Last week prices of root vegetables increased as usual, particularly prices of celeriac. In some areas of Poland (the south-east) their supply is very low and the purchase prices of washed celeriac exceeded 3 PLN (0.67 euro)/kg. Other root vegetables: carrot, parsley and beets also became more expensive. the average price of domestic onion also slightly rose. In some areas of Poland it is more and more difficult to buy onion of good quality.

Last week prices of cabbages also rose, especially prices of Chinese cabbage, but what important, also white and red cabbages as a result of slight increase in demand. In case of the white cabbage, which prices came up to 0.40 PLN (0.09 euro)/kg (1 - 3 kg cabbage from the cold stores), one can finally observe an increase in demand on the Russian market.

As regards imported vegetables a downward trend in price of broccoli was continued (the average price at the end of the week was 3 PLN (0.67 euro)/pcs. Leeks imported from Belgium also became cheaper –the average price was 3 PLN (0.67 euro)/kg.

The prices of bananas imported from Ecuador dropped once again. The demand for table grapes imported from South America and RSA despite their high prices were big. The prices was 60 – 65 PLN (13.39-14.51 euro)/ 8 kg. There was also a considerable interest in strawberries imported from Spain and their prices were 6 – 10 PLN/kg.

Source: fresh-market.pl (ms)