The volume of fresh fruit and vegetables declined by 11.9 percent int he second quarter of this year while the wholesale value rose by 7.7 percent, when compared to the corresponding period of 2008.

The National Statistics Office said the supply of fresh vegetables fell by 11.8 percent, to 11.4 million kilograms. Notable declines were recorded in potatoes (-33.8 percent), tomatoes (-19.9 per cent) and cauliflowers (-13.6 percent). On the other hand, the supply of dry onions and lettuce increased by 15.2 and 19.1 percent respectively.

The wholesale value of fresh vegetables rose by 15.6 percent and amounted to €5.3 million in the second quarter this year. The wholesale value of tomatoes and of vegetable marrows went up by 54.2 and 14.1 percent respectively, on account of increases in their unit prices. The wholesale value of dry onions rose by 67.0 percent on account of a rise in both volume and unit price.

Meanwhile, the wholesale value of potatoes and watermelons declined by 13.4 and 9.4 percent respectively. The wholesale value of sugar melons declined by 22.6 percent, on account of lower supply and lower prices for this product.

The supply of fresh fruit decreased by 13.7 percent, reflecting mainly the drop in the supply of lemons and peaches by 22.6 and 15.4 percent respectively. Similarly, the wholesale value of fresh fruit also registered a decline of 18.2 per cent when compared to the second quarter of 2008, from €1.4 million to €1.1 million. The resultant fall in wholesale value was attributable to lower quantity and unit prices observed in the period under review.