Lower price of fruit and vegetables during the drought

The prevailing drought in the country has so far been a major economic challenge for those who grow berries, fruit and vegetables. At the same time, the weather has been a factor that has enabled consumers to save a few kroner. One product that has become cheaper during the warm weeks is the cucumber.
– When it’s warm and sunny, many products grow and ripen faster. The result is that large volumes go on the market in a short time and then prices drop, says Kristina Mattsson, analyst at the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

An example of a product that has decreased in price is the cucumber. Before the drought hit, a cucumber could cost around 18-19 kroner, now the price per piece is 12 kroner in many stores around the country. Kristina Mattsson tells us that she herself bought two cucumbers for SEK 15.

– It is clear that cucumbers have become cheaper, but this also applies to tomatoes, she says.

Biggest price drop for strawberries

However, the clearest example of a product that has become cheaper during the heat and drought is strawberries.

– The typical example that responds very quickly to the weather is strawberries, where volumes grow very quickly and then prices drop. Then it is always the case that they are expensive in midsummer, but then the price drops again. There are always several mechanisms working together, says Kristina Mattsson.

The price drop not as clear this year

At the same time, she emphasizes that the drop in prices for fruit and vegetables is not as marked as it was in previous years – something that is due to the prevailing inflation and the fact that the funds for the growers have become more expensive.

– It has become more expensive with the inputs that the growers need to be able to produce the products. It’s diesel, electricity and fertilizer – everything has become more expensive. Then the krone exchange rate is weak, and that drives up the costs, she says.

– Even if it becomes cheaper, we may not get down to the levels that have been seen in previous years. Now we are at slightly higher levels, but in the short perspective it shows. If you get larger volumes on the market, prices drop.