Slovakia: Producers stop growing tomatoes in winter

Many Slovak producers reduce or completely stop the production of tomatoes during the winter. High energy prices forced them to turn off the heating needed for greenhouse cultivation during the winter. The largest resulting shortages are expected early next year. To cover their expenses, farmers would have to double the price per kilogram. In previous winter seasons, every third tomato sold in Slovakia came from domestic cultivation. Now, taking into account the sharp increase in energy costs, the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK) expects the prices of all vegetables, including tomatoes, to increase by 20 to 30 percent. Last year, expenditure on heating agricultural greenhouses amounted to EUR 60,000 per hectare; this year they are to amount to 400,000 euros per hectare. If energy ...