The supply of carrots is on the tight side and there is no early carrot that has to go above the market. That gives growers confidence in the market. On the other hand, the demand for carrots is not excessive.
The yields per hectare are not easy in early carrots. In addition, the acreage has shrunk considerably compared to last season. This means that the total supply of carrots is meager. The prices are therefore at a decent level. And that relatively high price makes up for the moderate tons for growers. Because there is little carrot available, the later plots are pulled forward. They are not yet at maximum yield. As long as the price per hectare is right, different growers argue. The fact that there is no waiting also keeps the market clean.
The higher prices are less favorable for export, especially to Africa. Something is happening towards that continent, but it is all very quiet. The rinsed Dutch carrots are good for the price and the transport costs are added to that. And it's not just carrots that are expensive for African buyers. Products such as onions and grain are also hitting hard. Ultimately, African consumers can only spend their money once. There, carrots are seen as a more luxurious product and are one of the first foodstuffs that are ignored.
Faithful image
The DCA quotation for B carrot has dropped slightly this week and averages out at €28 per 100 kilos. This gives the listing a little bit of a distorted picture. In practice, the market feels fixed and there are no major shifts. By far the majority of trading is done around €28 per 100 kilos and that is unchanged from last week. It is mainly the top of the listing that had to give up something. The C carrot has taken a step up to €22 per 100 kilos because there is relatively little coarse carrot available. For a finer sorting, you can dig up a plot a little earlier. For the coarse carrots you have to be patient until they have grown enough.