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.

API Indices Down On Last Year

The all outputs price index fell by 0.1% in February 2014 and is now 7.1% lower than the same time last year. All inputs price index increased 0.8% in February 2014 and is 4.3% lower than last February.

Sheep and lamb prices rose 5% in February and are 20% higher than last February. Demand at home and abroad and a weaker pound are making exports more competitive on the continent. Fresh fruit prices fell to 27% lower than last February and by 2.2% this February because of high prices due to short supplies after last years poor harvest.

Vegetable prices fell by 5.3% and are 8% down on last year. Cabbages, lettuce and carrots reported a significant fall in prices. The exception was cauliflowers which reported a 32% increase in price during February due to limited supplies which saw price rises.

Fertiliser prices rose 2.4% and are 7% lower than last year. Phosphates and potash prices are improving and nitrogen prices are increasing.

Agricultural Prices Back To Normal

Agricultural producer and purchase prices were returning to normal in January after the traditional Christmas products prices seasonal peaks.

Onion prices were being affected by greater supplies and low demand and cauliflower prices have seen considerable rises caused by increased demand.

The monthly series index of producer prices of agricultiral products for the total of all products reached 162.7 in January from 162.4 in December 2011. The corresponding monthly series index of purchase prices of all means of agricultural production for January 2012 was 140.6 from 153.2 in December 2011.