In times of the coronavirus and new CO2 tax, farmers in Germany are going to face a challenging season lying ahead.
As stated on HortiDaily, though the pandemic has hardly affected the vegetable prices, the CO2 taxation will definitely affect the price tags.
Weather changes influence on the greenhouses
Cucumbers and tomatoes are definitely sensitive to the frost and are difficult to present at sub-zero temperatures early in the morning.
For instance, last year Spanish outdoor growers severed from the rain and hail, while this year both indoor and outdoor growers were unable to grow effectively due to recording low temperatures and snow in some regions, which lasted from mid-January until February.
Coronavirus influence on the greenhouse industry prices
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, last year some greenhouse growers were able to achieve record-breaking revenues because of the fewer competition.
There are two reasons for that. Firstly, due to the shortage of seasonal workers, fewer crops were planted outdoors, which resulted in less quantity. Secondly, the outdoor growers had to struggle with late frost and corresponding quality losses in many places.
Inevitable price increase due to the CO2 tax
However, the article states, that should definitely expect higher prices for greenhouse vegetables in the following years in Germany. Since January 2021 there is a carbon dioxide tax in Germany. Allegedly, the prices on cucumber will be on average 10% higher than in 2020.
Growers claim, that they already need an additional price of 1.20 to 1.40 per square metre in 2021 alone to compensate for the CO2 tax. Until 2025, the tax regime is expected to stagger, meaning that prices will inevitably rise in the upcoming years.