The small uptick in demand for carrots that started last week is not continuing. Spoolers and traders are complaining that buyers are very cautious at the moment. Something is being done, but not more than strictly necessary.
Buyers from Eastern Europe, who have caused some commotion on the carrot market in recent weeks - and especially last week - are keeping a low profile this week. As a result, there is little demand and if you can get something, it all has to be very competitive, according to insiders. Both farmers and processors operate below cost price. Spoolers wonder whether they should pass on orders in the current fighting market.
Shrinkage in area expected
Growers have little influence on current market developments and mainly look at the coming season. The costs for cultivation and storage are increasing in the current market and that is certainly not encouraging for the new season. It is of course still early, but various sources already assume that the area of carrots will shrink quite a bit in the coming growing year.
Despite the moderate mood, the DCA rating remains the same as last week. B-carrot is priced at €8 per 100 kilos with a spread between €6 and €10. The quotation for C-carrot remains at €7 per 100 kilos. In terms of price, the stretch is over, according to various traders. Traditionally, the demand for carrots increases around Easter. The hope is that that will also happen this year, but an upturn in the price is not expected by most traders.