Producers of contract vegetables had to struggle this year with regionally very pronounced droughts and general cost increases, according to the Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V. (Central Horticultural Association).
The current season was evaluated at the meeting of the Working Committee on Contract Vegetables of the Bundesfachgruppe Gemüsebau (BfG) on November 17, 2022 in Hofheim near Frankfurt. Without irrigation, some crops would no longer have been able to be grown, which has had a massive impact on the already increased costs. At the same time, vegetable producers are already seeing themselves forced to raise prices this year in view of rising energy and raw material prices. It has not always been possible to realize these in negotiations with processors and the industry.
The committee members appealed to industry and retail groups to understand the cost increases to which vegetable producers are exposed, which threaten their very existence. At the same time, they said, consumers are becoming less willing to pay higher prices for regional products. There is a need for clear signals from retailers and politicians that regional produce is still desired. Otherwise, it is to be feared that fewer and fewer processed vegetables will be grown in Germany and that ultimately this structural change will be felt in the processing sectors as well.
For more information:
www.derdeutschegartenbau.de
www.gemuesebau.org