CHAIN PRODUCTION COSTS OF FRUIT VEGETABLES: A COMPARISON BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS

After the entrance of Spain to the EU the competition with the Netherlands has increased. From 1990 on Spain has increased the export especially of tomatoes. Later on they also started to build up an export position with sweet peppers and cucumbers. Since that time competition is fierce on the Wet European market.

The competitive power of both countries will determine the future market positions. Several aspects are important by this market competition. Beside others the most important aspects are costs of production and quality of the product. For fruit vegetables LEI-DLO has in co-operation with Spanish counterparts set up a joint research about the costs of production of these products in both countries.

For tomatoes the production areas of Murcia, Almeria and the Canary Islands were subject of study. For sweet peppers the study is done for the regions of Murcia and Almeria. For cucumbers only the region of Almeria was subject of study.

The result of the study was a good insight in the development of the costs of production per unit for those three corps and the extra costs made during the process of packing, storage, transport and selling for the german Market. The study gives insight in the possible development in the future which can be seen a sign for future market developments.

Also information is gathered on the field of energy and pesticides, used during production and transport.

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