The carrot market is showing a strong price increase due to sustained demand from Europe, while supply from storage is limited. Crate prices are rising rapidly. Read more about carrot market price developments.
This season, many batches of carrots are being settled based on a price per crate. Driven by demand from Southern and Eastern Europe, prices have risen sharply in recent weeks. The lower end of the market has also increased. Crates are now being traded between €140 at the lower end and €250 at the upper end.
At the regional exchange in Emmeloord, these crate prices are converted into euros per 100 kilos. That quotation is rising this week by an average of €13 to €33 to €43 per 100 kilos. With this price increase, the level is above the cost price for growers.
Last week, demand from Spain picked up. This came unexpectedly, as the market had anticipated a quiet period following the extra orders for Easter. This week, additional demand from Poland and Germany is added to this, further supporting the price.
Spain is facing problems with carrots sown in November and early December. These fields have suffered from waterlogging and are now being harvested. Carrots sown later are in better condition. Harvesting of these will start in about two weeks. It is estimated that approximately 20% of the acreage has been lost due to the weather.
In addition, Germany and Belgium harvested fewer carrots last year. As a result, additional demand for Dutch produce has arisen in these countries. At the same time, part of the Dutch stock has already been cleared, and volumes in storage are limited. Many growers sold earlier in the season due to poor quality.