On the field side, April 2023

Northern vegetables

On the spinach side, sowing is severely delayed as the plots are too wet in the affected growing areas. To date, only 25% of the plots have been treated. The first sown areas show weak and irregular levees. The harvest will therefore logically be later (June instead of May). Spinach is a pre-culture on areas that will later be planted with cauliflower, leek or corn. If this situation continues, it is likely that farmers will switch directly to this second crop at the cost of spinach.

For Peas, sowing is going well despite the initial delay and will last until the end of May. To date about 35% of the plots have been sown. Harvest is also likely to be later in July.

The first carrot plots and the cauliflower plants for the first harvest are also behind schedule.

Southern vegetables

As a result of high summer temperatures and a particularly dry winter, the avocado crop in Spain is about 20% below N-1. Forecasts for the coming years are not encouraging, however, more and more farmers are implementing smart irrigation systems for better water management.

Herbs and condiments

The very first herbs have been produced (chives, parsley, chervil, coriander), and the campaign so far looks “normal”. Oregano, mint and watercress will follow in May and the parsley harvest will intensify in June.

The garlic campaign in China starts in a few weeks. We have been spared the capricious weather and are expecting a “normal” harvest.

In Poland, we have regained confidence in the volumes of onions available, but the speculation will leave its mark for a while yet.

The expected areas for onions and shallots for the next season are increasing, good news! We will know the first offers soon.

Large imports

The season starts in central China for sugar snap peas. The spring of 2023 was rather cold compared to the previous years, however, there was no frost or storm. This vegetable is therefore expected to have a satisfactory yield this year.

The asparagus harvest in China is starting. A cold wind in the north of China is shaking up the market at the beginning of the season. Overall, the harvest is going well, but as mentioned last month, stocks are empty, leading to speculation.

Fruits

In Spain, the citrus campaigns have been affected by unfavourable climatic conditions, by the increase in costs for producers and by the drop in consumption due to the difficult inflationary situation. The sector has recorded its lowest volume in the last 10 years.

The harvest of Primofiori lemons has been impacted by hot weather during flowering and a lack of rain this winter resulting in a 50% deficit. For the Verna species, the harvest is starting. It is still early to position ourselves on the volumes, but we expect -35% compared to N-1.

The grapefruit harvest was also affected, with 10-20% less volume than expected.

More information

Our teams are looking forward to seeing you at PLMA ! 

Come and see us at stand 3.A19 on 23 and 24 May 2023 at the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.