Overview
- Official data show December retail prices jumped 43 percent from November and roughly 80 percent since October.
- Market analysts point to a sharp cold snap after a warm late summer in southern Spain that weakened crops and constrained Dutch output.
- The federal agriculture market report notes Spanish cucumbers dominate winter supply, supplemented by the Netherlands, Belgium and Morocco, yet volumes remain insufficient.
- Tighter harvests have also pushed up prices for tomatoes, peppers and courgettes, as retailers scale back promotions and rely more on premium lines.
- AMI says demand has cooled and the peak may be passing, while political calls include proposals to cut VAT on basic foods.