The carrot market is downright weak. Not too bad for this time of year. According to the trade, the low demand for both B and C carrots does not justify the higher prices that growers demand for their good carrots (from storage).
The market has not been very dynamic lately. However, the volumes appear to be clearly lower than last year, which is evident from various test flushes. That sets the tone for the rest of the season. And should actually be the start of the upward journey from the beginning of next year. On the other hand, it is striking that Poland apparently still has enough carrots to offer it to the Czech and Romanian markets. So the question is when demand from abroad will start.
Not much optimism C-Peen
The market picture is unchanged compared to last week. C-peen is not requested and there is no immediate prospect of improvement since the catering industry and food service will remain in lockdown for the time being. The little trade that has been achieved has been traded at prices between €11 and €13 per 100 kilos. The DCA quotation for C-peen is therefore the same as last week.
The prices 'in the bag' do not justify the high prices that are apparently being asked for carrots from storage during this period. Growers are waiting patiently with the predominantly low results from the test flushes at the current prices. The fixed storage rate for an entire season also offers them that space. Higher prices are necessary to make 2020 cultivation somewhat profitable, growers argue.
Higher quotations for profitable cultivation
That is why there is little trade taking place and certainly not (yet) at a higher level. The market must find direction in this. For the time being, according to insiders, purchases are only made at average prices between €12 and €15,50 per 100 kilos. That is the level of this week's DCA quotation. Higher prices are not mentioned and are not considered realistic at this time.
Just before Christmas, however, a small price sprint seemed to have started. The question is whether this will also hold up after the holidays. The logical expectation is that the rest of the year will not provide much spectacle and that change will have to come in the new year.