Prolonged bad weather in Spain has led to a sharp increase in the price of many vegetables. Aubergines and courgettes have gone up 50%, and the price of cucumbers has gone up threefold. We anticipate the price will stay high throughout January and February.
Misshapen Carrots!
The European Commission last week scrapped bureaucratic “marketing standards” that set precise measurements for the appearance, weight and size of 26 types of fruit and vegetables – including carrots and the brussels sprout.
However, the notorious “straight bananas” regulation which dictates that the fruit must be “free from malformation or abnormal curvature” will remain in place because “no objections from banana growers, buyers, traders or consumers have been received regarding this requirement”.
The fruit and vegetable rules were dropped to cut red tape after growing protests from supermarkets, grocers, and farmers, including the Prince of Wales, who have been forced to throw away produce that does not measure up to exacting requirements drawn up by Eurocrats decades ago.
An estimated 20 per cent of the British harvest is thrown away to comply with the EU regulations, rules which have been calculated to add as much as 40 per cent to the price of some vegetables, such as carrots.
source; the telegraph
New Covent Garden Market
The government has given its consent to the redevelopment of the new covent garden market site at nine elms in Vauxhall, London, following a review of the business case by both the treasury and the department for environment, food and rural affairs.
The market has been based on its current 57 acre site since 1974, with 250 companies employing 2800 people specializing in fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and catering services. However the changing nature of the tenants, an aging infrastructure and a sprawling site layout means the market is uneconomic to run in the long term without new investment.
The development project will provide modern, new market facilities for traders and customers alike, funded by the release of some surplus land. It will mark the most significant new investment in the market for a generation.
Tomato Prices Up
The prices of tomatoes especially plum and beef have shot up.
Although this always happens at this time of year it is always a shock to the system when it happens. We are now getting our plum tomato direct from Sicily in a bid to keep the price down.
We have also lowered our margin on these items knowing that the prices will fall shortly as the Canary season takes hold.
Local To London
Local to London on 1 October is the trade event that brings together, under one roof, some of the best producers and growers from the South East and the East of England. They will be showcasing a vast range of local and regional produce that is available to London’s food service sector.
Among those that are invited to attend Local to London are decision makers from restaurants, pubs and hotels as well as catering suppliers, wholesalers and distributors in and around London whose common goal is to source more regional produce from the East and the South East.
We will of course be there along with some of our customers who have expressed an interest and hopefully we will make some new friends amongst the local farming community.
Mid monthly market report
Just a quick update on fruit and vegetable produce arriving at new covent garden market.
Seeded Italian grapes have arrived and make a good change from the seedless varieties that we have all gotten used to. Both black and white are available.
Also as mentioned previously in the news the first new season curly cale and purple sprouting broccoli are here. Black cabbage or cavalo nero is also around but will improve after the first frosts.
Rhubarb has now finished for the season and we are starting to see some price rises in tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries which are becoming ever softer.
Herb shortage
There has been a general shortage of herbs arriving at the market. The main problems seem to be with Basil, Chives and Tarragon.
So far none of our customers have gone without and we will try to keep ahead of the game by keeping our stock levels up.
Eurotunnel Fire
Fire in the Eurotunnel has caused a short term delay in deliveries from abroad. This may cause shortages in some products today and tomorrow, but we do not envisage any major problems. Everything should be back to normal by Monday morning.
Curly Kale and Purple Sprouting Broccoli
Just arrived are the first of the new season curly kale and purple sprouting broccoli, all English and all excellent quality. Remember them when you come to write your next menus.
Welcome to our new website.
Over recent months we have recognised the need to keep our customers more informed about the changing nature of the market in which we operate and the fluctuating prices of fruit and vegetables.
To that end we have developed a brand new website which will be updated on a daily basis to enable customers to view news and information that may concern the quality and price of the produce we supply.
We recognise that monthly markets reports alone are no longer suitable to keep customers abreast of what is going on in our ever-changing market place so, in this way, we hope to offer you more control over your costing.
Our new website, which will also feature recipes, blogs, restaurant reviews and more food-related information than you can shake a celery stick at is now live and we hope that you will find it of benefit.