European vegetables: ‘Perfect storm’ raises prices

Bad weather in Italy and Spain is likely to significantly increase the price of vegetables across northern Europe, food suppliers and supermarkets have told the BBC.

One supplier said that a combination of flooding, cold weather and poor light levels had created a “perfect storm” of poor growing conditions.

Courgettes and lettuces are likely to be much more pricey, one supplier said.

Poor planting conditions could also affect prices at the end of the year.

Floods in Spain’s south-eastern Murcia region combined with cold weather in Italy has meant that many field crops such as lettuce and broccoli have been nearly wiped out, Nationwide Produce food marketing company managing director Tim O’Malley told the BBC.

Peppers and aubergines are among others that have been hit.

Murcia is reported to have recently had its heaviest rainfall in 30 years and is estimated to supply about 80% of Europe’s fresh produce during the winter months.

Bad weather in Italy and Spain is likely to significantly increase the price of vegetables across northern Europe, food suppliers and supermarkets have told the BBC.

One supplier said that a combination of flooding, cold weather and poor light levels had created a “perfect storm” of poor growing conditions.

Courgettes and lettuces are likely to be much more pricey, one supplier said.

Poor planting conditions could also affect prices at the end of the year.

Floods in Spain’s south-eastern Murcia region combined with cold weather in Italy has meant that many field crops such as lettuce and broccoli have been nearly wiped out, Nationwide Produce food marketing company managing director Tim O’Malley told the BBC.

Peppers and aubergines are among others that have been hit.

Murcia is reported to have recently had its heaviest rainfall in 30 years and is estimated to supply about 80% of Europe’s fresh produce during the winter months.

[Source:- BBC]