The carrot market is characterized by a wide range. It is not easy for growers to find a buyer for the early carrots. Traders characterize the market as calm.
Spoolers and traders cover themselves to a significant extent for fixed sales. The yields on the contacted plots are generally good, which means that traders are hardly on the market to fill gaps. Exports are going well, but to label it as busy is an exaggeration, according to the trade.
Good growing season bad for trade
It is expected that there will be a wide supply of carrots. In recent years, the new season started with high prices because the carrots were simply not available. Partly due to the disappointing potato prices, arable farmers were looking for alternatives and some ended up with early carrots. The expansion of the area and a growing season that has been relatively successful in many areas so far, results in a large supply of free carrots.
However, demand has not increased. The line between shortage and surplus is thin and is now moving towards surplus. The current situation is a source of laughter, especially for regular growers. Cultivation costs and other prices are rising, but the sales market for the farmer does not take this into account or does not take it sufficiently into account.
Price drops
The DCA Quotation for B and C carrots this week is €11 per 100 kilos, €1 lower than last. The price range is between €10 and €12 per 100 kilos. The quality of the very early varieties, which are mainly grown in Limburg, is deteriorating. Due to the wide range, most flushers have also switched to the stronger, somewhat later varieties. The quality is excellent. Another destination is being sought for the very early varieties.