This is why the price of broccoli will go through the roof soon | Cooking & Eating

Prices are expected to rise after the summer holidays. The market is on fire, Danny Duijs of Tolpoort Vegetables recently told trade magazine AGF.nl. “After the summer, the winter season starts with products that often come from Spain,” he explains in a telephone interview.

“At the moment there are many risks related to rising wage costs and water that is becoming scarcer, which you also notice in Spain. As a result, prices go up more and that ultimately has to be repaid in the price to the consumer.” Now broccoli at AH or Plus costs about 1.10 to 1.20 euros per half kilo. Last year around this time it was 1 euro. An increase of 10 to 20 percent.

Incidentally, the prices were even higher two years ago due to the drought. Then the price sometimes shot to 1.30 to 1.40 euros for 500 grams. That was exceptional, but can now happen again. “I’ll leave it at three euros for a broccoli,” said a customer about the high broccoli price on the market.

Because retailers often have a seasonal or annual contract with supermarkets, the prices of broccoli in the Netherlands will not increase immediately. “The prices are still fixed. Even if broccoli is promoted in the supermarket, that is also agreed well in advance,” says the grower.

According to him, the rising prices are already noticeable abroad. “There is a lot of demand there with relatively little supply. In England there have been crop failures due to a water shortage, as a result of the prolonged heat. We are not bothered by that in the Netherlands at the moment.” Customers of the British supermarket Tesco already pay 2 euros for a pound of broccoli. At the Spanish Mercadona, the price is around 1.90 euros per 500 grams.

Supermarket expert Paul Moers is concerned about these kinds of developments. “These are the consequences of climate change. It’s no longer 5 to 12, it’s 5 past 12. We are going to have more and more worldwide problems with crop failures. This example from England is comparable to the maize from Ukraine, which is hardly or not at all available. This is the price we pay for complete disregard for the environment.”

“Prices are rising so much that many families are suffering,” Moers said. “People are now paying more for energy than for rent. If you are at the bottom of society or have a minimum wage, you now look twice as critical at what you are going to eat.”

According to Moers, it is therefore of great importance that supermarkets jointly sell certain products for a low price. “The CBL must get the supermarkets into action. They have been making gold money for years during corona, this is the time to give something back. Grab everyday items like lettuce, tomatoes, milk, yogurt, and bread. If you put together a basket of about 20 products, you can at least continue to eat properly in an affordable way.”