Inside: Arable farming
Carrot trade taps into new markets
Although the carrot market is off to a poor start, growers and traders should not immediately fear a repeat of last year. New markets have entered the scene and the net yield is not as great.
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Choose the subscription that suits youThe first quotations on the Middenmeer and Emmeloord stock exchanges are off to a low start. On September 27, the Middenmeer stock market notes for C/D carrot Class I, 200 grams upwards, €4 to €5,50 per 100 kilos. With this, the fair season for carrots starts at €1 to €2 per 100 kilos lower than last year. There are no price changes in the following weeks.
The B-carrots and bowls teats in Emmeloord are higher: between €6 for B-carrots direct delivery and a top of €9 for bowls' carrots ex-country suitable for storage.
No repeat bad 2016/2017
No fat pot for the time being, but we don't have to assume a repeat of last year's bad prices. Firstly, there is reason to assume that production will be smaller due to quality issues. Furthermore, the greater busyness in the trade than last year in this period is somewhat reassuring.
The overseas market is continuing reasonably well and there is also demand from Europe. Poland and the Czech Republic are doing quite well this season. Drought in Southeastern Europe and the Balkans may lead to more demand there. France and Spain may come to the market in the spring. There is a chance that growers will sharply adjust their acreage after a bad season and have to import these countries.
Senegal and Mauritania in top 6
Where the carrot sector can also expect opportunities, is the export to Africa, in particular to Senegal and Mauritania. Export figures from the KCB show that these markets are in the top 6 after Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. Countries that are well known with Dutch onions.
Mauritania can be supplied with carrots all year round, Senegal in the periods when the border for onions is open. The volumes are by no means comparable to onions. This would be about ten containers per week and only strong carrot varieties, such as Nerac and Nairobi, are eligible.
Newcomer Cuba
An exporter reports that the 10-day transport is going well. But a trip of 3 weeks in a refrigerated container to Cuba also works well. Trade to Cuba is still limited, but the country is emerging as a sales market.
In 2016 Cuba bought 50.000 kilos of carrots, in previous years the country was not even on the export lists. Up to and including week 36 of this calendar year, 75.000 kilos had already been sent there. So far, few flushing companies have dared to do it. The carrot must be of top quality.
Carrot exports to Senegal are increasing. NB 2017 is up to and including week 36