More expensive vegetables, cheaper fruit

The producer price index for agricultural products rose by 8.5 percent to 117.5 points in the second quarter.

The National Statistics Office said the rise was reflected by contrasting developments in price movements within the sub-sectors of the agricultural industry.

The fresh vegetables price index went up by 19.6 percent because of a general decrease in the supply of fresh vegetables in the second quarter.

As a result, higher producer prices were recorded for tomatoes (+94.6 percent), cauliflowers (+63.1 percent), green beans (+41.7 percent), watermelons (+40.4 percent) and vegetable marrows (+18.1 percent).

Similarly, the price of potatoes rose by 30.8 percent over the comparative quarter resulting from a sharp decline in the supply of this crop.

During the second quarter of 2009, the fruit price index decreased by 15.7 percent.

Lower prices for peaches (-9.2 percent), strawberries (-12.9 percent) and figs (-25.4 percent) were recorded, although citrus fruit prices rose by 42.4 percent.

The animals slaughtering index rose by eight percent over the comparative period in 2008, as higher prices were registered for poultry (+16.5 percent), slaughtered pigs (+13.7 percent), and rabbits (+3.3 percent).

During this period, producer prices received for poultry and slaughtered pigs rose to compensate the decline in subsidies paid to these producers.

Similarly, the animal products index increased by 3.6 percent on account of higher producer prices fetched for raw milk and eggs.