The yields of the early carrots are disappointing. There may not be that much demand for carrots, the market remains very tight. This does not seem likely to change in the short term.
The hectare yields of the early carrot varieties are generally disappointing. For growers who have been able to irrigate enough and on time, the yields are not too bad, but growers where irrigation is a problem or who have cut back on irrigation due to high fuel prices have left a lot of money behind. In addition to the moderate yields, the area has also shrunk compared to last season. The quality of the carrot is good, but slightly less than last year. Last year the growing season was very good and you hardly washed anything away. This year there will be a little more fall, but that is also normal for a dry year according to flushers. The supply of carrots is therefore not available and can even be described as tight. The tonnes per hectare seem to be improving slightly for the mid-early varieties, but it will still take a few weeks before they can be harvested.
Tight market despite limited demand
The demand for carrots is nothing to write home about at the moment. Exports to Africa in particular are lagging behind compared to other years. The Dutch carrot is on the expensive side for African buyers. Due to the relatively high price, exporters have quite a lot of money in their pockets and are therefore somewhat cautious about shipping to Africa on spec. Demand from supermarkets/retail will continue as normal. Many processors can rely on contracts for this, but if the tons are not there and you have to enter the market, it is not easy to buy carrots.
The DCA quotation for B-carrot has taken a step up compared to last week and amounts to €29 per 100 kilos. The price band is narrow and runs from €28 to €30. There is not much trade, but parties that need to buy report that it is not easy to get their hands on carrots. Growers are confident and expect that there is still some room to the upside. The DCA quotation C-carrot has also taken a step up and this week amounts to €21 per 100 kilos.