The Painful Truth About Outdoor Vegetables and Frost
As the season shifts from summer to winter, FMB is redirecting its assortment focus from greenhouse-grown vegetables to outdoor vegetables and top fruit. However, the current weather conditions are hampering growth in the outdoor vegetable market.
Europe-Wide Supply Glut
Jonathan Vandesande of FMB explains that this surplus is common across Europe, especially for crops like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and leeks. The harvest quality and quantity have been excellent everywhere, resulting in a supply that far exceeds demand.
"This is a Europe-wide phenomenon for products like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and leeks. The harvest has been good everywhere, and there is more than enough supply. The demand just cannot keep up yet."
Normally, this time of year sees stronger market activity, but the abundant availability has slowed sales considerably.
The Impact of Weather
Vandesande states that without a significant snow event in Europe, market conditions are unlikely to improve soon.
"Unless a proper snowstorm passes over Europe, there won’t be much change either."
He highlights hand-polished Brussels sprouts as an example of a premium product affected by low prices. These sprouts are uniquely harvested by hand in Belgium but are losing their value with prices ranging from 50 to 80 euro cents per kilogram or 2.50 to 4 euros per box, making the effort less worthwhile.
Economic Reality of Outdoor Vegetables
"It's a painful reality right now, but if it doesn’t freeze properly, prices will remain poor. It would be better for everyone if some of the volumes disappeared from the market. That’s simply the economic truth."
This highlights the harsh truth that a frost or freezing weather typically drives demand and pricing, and in its absence, producers face financial challenges.
Author’s summary: Without the cooling effect of frost, the abundant outdoor vegetable market in Europe struggles with oversupply and low prices, underscoring a tough economic reality for growers and traders alike.