The effects of recent harsh temperatures in Spain are being felt on UK markets.
Quique Oliver of exporter Agriveg said: "There has been a lot of damage to citrus and to field crops. Even citrus trees are showing signs of damage with burnt leaves. Most areas of the Valencia region have been affected and in citrus it means the products are difficult to harvest. We have had lows of -7•C at night which is absolutely unheard of here."
He added that temperatures have been increasing and daytime records this week show +12°C to +18°C which is much more seasonable but the damage has been done. "Leafy crops such as iceberg and broccoli have been freezing in the fields and even cauliflower which is usually more resistant has been lost," said Oliver. "The worst spell was about two weeks ago and early stonefruit varieties that were in bloom when the frosts struck have been lost."
The markets in the UK have been feeling the consequences. Retired trader Geoff Wells was on Liverpool Market this week and reported a sharp rise in cauliflower prices because of the frost shortage with heads trading at 140-180p each.
And in Sheffield one trader said that the easy-peel market has been strong with supplies dominated by Turkish Minneolas and Moroccan Nour.
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