Apple prices are slightly up because many in this year’s early UK crop are larger than average, pushing up demand for smaller variants. It comes on the back of a poor harvest in Poland last year following an unseasonably cold April, which saw yields drop by 23%.

apples web

Southern hemisphere pear production is estimated to drop by 15% this season, forcing prices to remain high around the world. Meanwhile, there has been a perfect storm in the banana market due to lower production in major producing countries and greater demand. Low production in South and Central American countries as a result of geopolitical factors have put up prices, while demand for the fruit is expanding elsewhere, putting a further squeeze on pricing.

Plentiful tomato supplies from Europe and Asia in 2017 and 2018 have kept prices low.

The pepper harvest season in Mexico is in full swing, with improved yields compared with last year pushing prices down.

PRICES
Fruit & VegPrice in GBP per tonnem-o-m %y-o-y %
Carrots (UK) 343 5.60% 22.60%
Bananas (UK) 963 1.80% 18.70%
Apples (UK) 920 11.20% 7.50%
Oranges (ES) 695 -7.20% -5.10%
Iceburg lettuce (price per unit, UK) 0.43 4.90% -6.10%
Pears (UK) 743 4.30% -8.00%
Peppers (Capsicums, UK) 1816 -5.70% -13.60%
Onions (UK) 280 -25.30% -15.70%
Tomatoes (UK) 1417 -0.10% -21.00%
Potatoes (UK) 154 5.60% -27.80%