Plastic tunnels have even been thick with frost in some parts of the region, which is very unusual at this time of year in the area.

According to Andrés López of Fecoam, the Murcia federation of co-ops, temperatures in Guadalentín valley and Campo de Cartagena areas have fallen below zero for prolonged periods overnight on several occasions since the weekend. 'This is slowing down and even paralysing plant development and in particular has affect production of artichokes, broccoli, iceberg and little gem lettuce,' he sad.

But he complains that despite a tightening in supplies many producers are not seeing returns increase. 'There is a sensation of shortage on the markets because the rate of supply has slowed and markets are much less saturated, but this is not necessarily filtering back to the producer,' warned López.

The Greenery also reports a complicated supply situation on cucumbers and tomatoes from neighbouring Almeria. 'What we are seeing is a shortfall as there is a gap in supplies with Spain finishing early and northern Europe not fully on stream yet,' said Simon Allgood.

Spain is finishing two to three weeks early on cucumbers and although The Greenery is well placed with supplies from its Dutch growers and UK producers through the link up with Humber VHB, the market is feeling the effects.

Cherry tomato supplies are also running tight and there is talk from some suppliers at source of a shortening in availability of round tomatoes from both Almeria and the Canary Islands which could also put upward pressure on prices.

'It is all to do with the cooler weather,' said Allgood. 'A couple of weeks ago there was a flush in production from the Canary Islands and good volumes and now quantities could go lower.'

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