High Supply And Low Demand Hit Fruit And Veg Prices

Wholesale fruit and vegetable prices reflect end of season high supplies and low demand fluctuations during October. Apples and pears prices have fallen due to high supply and low demand, raspberries and strawberries supplies fell but demand was still low and prices for raspberries increased but strawberry prices fell.

On the vegetable side, cauliflower prices fell by more than 30% due to increased supply, cucumber demand remained firm but supplies fell resulting in a price rise of 21.8%, iceberg lettuces prices fell by 22% because of increased supplies and quality concerns, peas prices rose by 39.5% due to supply problems, cherry tomatoes prices increased by 17.1% and plum tomatoes by 11% due to short supply.

Farm Gate Prices Down In December

The prices farmers received for their products fell by 0.4% in December on November but is still 11.8% higher than last year. Farmers were also having to pay on average 3.2% more on the monthly comparison and 5.4% on the annual comparison for their goods and services. Main crop potatoes have almost doubled in price since December 2012 due to low yields and low quality. Cereal prices have grown by 10% from November and 38% on the annual comparison. Dessert apples' prices have increased by 9% on the month and 25% on the year. Sheep prices fell by 28% over the year due to higher volumes and cheap imports of sheep meat.