PUBLISHER: Fresh Plaza (www.freshplaza.com)
This season a common theme in the global tomato market is increasing pressure from viruses such as the ToBRV, as well as continued abnormal weather patterns and rising production costs. The increased cost of energy in most countries is of particular concern as the northern hemisphere switches to lit cultivation during the darker winter months. All these factors combined mean higher tomato prices across the board.
The Netherlands and Belgium: Energy crisis and virus issues put pressure on tomato growers
In the Dutch and Belgian tomato greenhouses, the lights have been on for a while now. It is time for the lit crops, after an exceptional season so far with remarkably high prices since the summer. At the moment, however, it is the high energy prices that are the most striking factor.
The season for the unlit crops is over, except for a small group of autumn growers with mainly large truss tomatoes. They go into production around this time for a short period. Most growers without lights are now in their crop rotation and preparing for a new season. Certainly for growers who plant a new unlit crop in December, there will be shifts due to the energy crisis. It is expected that next spring there will be peaks and troughs in production at different times.