A leading Belgian fresh produce auction has described 2004 as the worst year in its history, as turnover tumbled 24 per cent compared with the previous year.
The Auction of Mechlin announced a turnover of just €190 million which it blamed on the lower average price of vegetables throughout the year.
While the fall in turnover of 24 per cent was compared with the previous year’s record high, the results were also down by 12 per cent on the figures of 2002.
A spokesman for the auction said: “The moderate temperatures in the south and the absence of floods, hailstorms or other production problems increased the offer abroad. This caused a surplus offer on the European markets and made the prices plummet.”
Overall, the auction said 2004 proved to be a disastrous year for tomatoes, lettuce, corn salad and leek. Cucumbers and sweet peppers did not do well either, but performed better than two years ago.
The spokesman said: “On the whole, the horticultural year of 2004 has been a year to forget soon. The growers start 2005 with renewed courage and hope they can realise good prices with Belgian top quality.”
