Dublin Wholesale Market Report

for

Fruit, Vegetables and Flowers

Weekly Market Report Week 50.2013

Friday 06/12/2013 to Thursday 12/12/2013

Vegetables: Demand was uninspiring. Wholesalers were nervous of the influence of special offers at multiple level and the effects they might have on pre Christmas market trading.

·  Further gains by Spanish Broccoli saw returns breach the €20/6Kg barrier. The high values deterred customers from buying in volume. Underlining the strong prices across Europe was the arrival of USA lots at €18 per 4 Kg.

·  French Cauliflower pushed up to 1150/8 with further rises pending. UK lots were expected back on the scene at strong values.

·  Sales of York, Savoy and Celtic cabbage improve improved .

·  Amounts of Brussels sprouts transacted were disappointing with wholesalers trying to fetch 650/750/5Kgc against the equivalent of 190c at some multiple outlets.

·  Iceberg lettuce climbed €3 to sell at 1050/1150 per 12. Making it a €6 gain in a fortnight .

·  High returns for Spanish courgettes showed no signs of relenting following difficulties at production level.

·  Quantities of tomatoes were low and values looked solid. also choice Spanish round trading at 800c by the end of the period, up €2 in the week.

·  Aubergine quotes pushed up to €16/5Kg turnover at these values was dull.

·  Leek sales were flaccid in the exceptionally mild conditions..

·  Celery, mostly from Spain was steady at 750/850 per 16.

Potatoes : The trend of large quantities and weak returns look unlikely to change before the end of 2013.

·  Golden Wonder sold in small parcels at quotes of 450 for good quality lots were common.

·  Rooster values were under pressure with top lots offered at 350/380; average samples were quoted at 300/350 and small sized tubers could bet fetched at under 300c.

·  Amounts of Kerr’s Pink and Record sold were small.

·  Trading conditions for French Agata ,‘mini’s’ ,at 630/650c/5Kg improved.

Fruit: A mixed bag of positives and negatives. Salesmen hoped demand would improve considerably in the next week otherwise it could be a very flat Christmas.

·  Grape sales were good. Crimson Seedless from the USA cleared readily at €20 per 4.5 Kg. Thompsons Seedless from Brazil drew a steady volume of buyers even though values remained at 1550 per 4.5 Kg. Sales of Italian varieties were drawing to a close.

·  Amounts of clementines even though well below seasonal levels were still adequate for market needs. So far only a trickle of Moroccan fruit was on offer with Spanish dominating

·  Apple values remained relatively low; volumes were plentiful and turnover sluggish.

·  Strawberry supply lines changed from Holland and Belgium over to Palestine. Buyers were slow to purchase in quantity.

·  On the berry scene, blackberries eased from recent high’s with blueberries steady and raspberries making gains of €1 to€ 2 per box.

Flowers: Demand tried to come off the floor.

·  Plentiful supplies of Chrysanthemums cleared slowly.

·  Good amounts of carnations experienced a better uptake as the week advanced.

·  Lily supplies seemed to be nicely balanced against an improving market.

·  Wreaths were well represented with interest picking up towards the end of the period.