The result has been increased sendings from the key growing areas of Almeria and Murcia to markets across Europe.

Consequently there is likely to be a gap in supply in a few weeks' time, which may lift prices in a depressed UK and wider European market. 'Until this week, the weather has been abnormally warm in Spain and some product has been brought forward by about two weeks,' explained Ian Dennis managing director of importer and supermarket supplier Das International Ltd. 'This will cause a gap in the crop by about two to two-and-a-half weeks somewhere down the line. The question is when.' The weather problems have also compounded the pricing situation. 'It is not necessarily the supermarkets that are squeezing on price,' said Dennis. 'Demand in Europe in general on produce this year is down compared to the same time last year and we are feeling the knock-on effect a little more because of the weather. Everyone's figures are down and they are just trying to keep the market buoyant.' This time last season prices were about 10p a head stronger, reported Dennis. 'They were linked with better sales and the fact that there wasn't a surplus in supply,' he said.

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