Sweden sees slow fruit and vegetable sales before Christmas
Sales of fruit and vegetables in Sweden until Christmas are slow as consumers also feel the inflation and higher prices due to the current global challenges. “At Christmas, people will think twice and only put the essentials on the table,” says Daniel Larsson, purchasing manager and co-owner of Hebe Frukt & Grönsaker AB, based in Sweden.
He says that it is quiet in the wholesale and retail markets in Sweden and sales are likely to pick up a bit in the middle of week 51, that is next week, a few days before Christmas. – We see very high price increases. Prices are going up for a range of fresh products. Tomatoes and vegetables from Spain as well as citrus have become more expensive compared to recent years. But that’s the funny thing, prices always settle according to demand. If the demand is lower, the prices must go down, the show must go on,” explains Larsson.
He says it will be a real fight but the producers will not get the prices they want. – Consumers are struggling with all the price increases for energy, transport, etc. We see that they are looking for extra low prices for products instead of going for high quality products. If the fruit or vegetable is on promotion, it will sell.”
“I think Christmas will be the same, people will think twice about what they put on the table. They will buy the most important items. I think the organic and exotic categories will have less sales at the end of this year. People will focus on the staple fruit and vegetables like clementines, oranges, Brussels sprouts and potatoes etc. Exotic fruit like pineapple, lychee and rambutan, those smaller niche products will be removed from people’s baskets, says Larsson.
For more information:
Daniel Larsson
Hebe Frukt & Grönsaker AB
Phone: +46 (0) 31-780 27 00
Email: [email protected]
www.hebe.se