Explosion in zucchini prices: an increase of 175.8% over the 2023/2024 campaign.
The price of zucchini experienced a historic surge during the 2023/2024 agricultural campaign in Spain. According to a report by Hortoinfo, based on data from the Observatory of Prices and Markets of the Junta de Andalucía, the average price of zucchini in greenhouses increased by 175.8% between what Spanish farmers charged and what consumers paid.
During this campaign, zucchini producers sold their harvest at an average price of €0.62/kg, a drop of 24.39% compared to the 2014/2015 campaign. However, on the consumer side, the average selling price stood at €1.71/kg, marking an increase of 32.56% compared to the same period. This gap between falling prices at the producer level and increasing prices for consumers highlights the widening gap throughout the distribution chain.
This marked difference contrasts sharply with the 2014/2015 campaign, where the gap between the prices paid to producers and those paid by consumers was much more moderate. At the time, zucchini were bought at €0.82/kg from producers and sold at €1.29/kg to consumers, with a difference of only 57.3%.
The 2023/2024 campaign reveals an unprecedented gap, illustrating a growing disconnect between agricultural prices and those that the final consumer must bear. This dizzying increase highlights complex issues in the distribution chain, from production to retail, raising questions about the distribution of added value and intermediate costs.
Read also: 66% of Spanish zucchini imports come from Morocco!
While Spanish farmers see their income stagnate or even decline, despite sustained efforts, consumers face continued price increases. These figures mark a worrying trend for the future of local agriculture and the accessibility of fresh products to the general public and worry Spanish farmers.
Remember that in the zucchini market, Morocco suffered a slight drop of -9.04% in its exports to the EU in 2023. At the same time, Spain asserted itself as an indisputable leader in 2023, with a significant increase in sales of 12.24%.
