Cucumber prices rise with drop in temperatures

There was a marked reduction in the supply of cucumber at the auctions of Almería and Granada in Week 49 induced by the arrival of colder temperatures and less availability of light. The crop reacts quickly to low temperatures, resulting in decreased production levels. In turn, this leads to a rise in price at source.

Demand from European importers in the second half of November has been lower than in other campaigns. Since the start of December there has been a moderate increase in orders from Central European supermarket chains for Almería cucumber, which is the only cucumber that registered an increase in price in Week 49 and became the most valued type of cucumber for the first time in the 2017/18 campaign. With respect to other commercial types, sales volumes of short and French cucumber are limited. Between Weeks 47 and 49, the prices of short and French varieties fell by 27% and 13%, respectively.

Average weekly cucumber prices

Source: Consejeria de Agricultura, Pesca y Desarollo Rural

Cucumber exports to the EU from Morocco under quota got underway on November 1 (Week 44) and continue until May 31. The total quota for the 2017/18 campaign amounts to 16,800 tons – the same figure as the previous season. Since Week 44, a total of 1,262 tons have entered the EU, 30%
less than the same period in 2016.