Market and harvest report

Last winter vegetables finally harvested

Due to the wet autumn and winter months it was impossible to harvest black salsify to schedule.
It was only during March that the long-awaited first black salsify could be frozen.

Leek production is just over, as large quantities had yet to be brought in at the beginning of April.
Meanwhile leeks have become a much sought-after vegetable in retail, food service and industry
on account of their great ease of use.

First spring harvests starting

The harvest of the first early spinach fields started at the beginning of May.
As a consequence of the low yields from last year's harvest, stocks of 2010 production
had been previously exhausted for weeks – and in some cases even months.
Here too the abundant rain in large swathes of Europe has had a significantly adverse impact.

For 2011 Ardo has worked on an even wider spread of growing areas - specifically for spinach.
In addition to optimising our production facilities, involving efforts to maximise local spinach
production, Ardo has planned an expansion of its growing area in Austria and very recently in Spain
for 2011 production.

Having a climatological and geographic spread, with the potential positive impact of diverse harvest
periods, Ardo will guarantee better quality and quantity.

Growing programme for 2011 harvest laid down

Reserving the requisite acreage is causing more problems than in previous years.
Many growers can get higher prices for cereals than for vegetables. As a result a sharp increase in the price
of raw materials (fresh vegetables) is noticeable. This rise will need to be passed on to the end-customer in
forthcoming contract prices.

Market reports

Consumption of frozen vegetables was exceptionally high in all segments during the first
months of 2011. Prices for fresh vegetables remained relatively high, as a result of which consumption
of frozen vegetables rose thanks to the stable pricing. On the other hand, available stocks of virtually
all frozen vegetables in Europe remained exceptionally low. Out-of-stock situations were found to be
unavoidable as a result.

New production is being eagerly anticipated. As a result of low stocks, rising demand and the
challenge of being able to secure adequate growing areas, sales contracts are being tied up much
earlier this year. The trend in contract prices is on an upward trend and the demand for delivery
guarantees is at the top of our partner-customers' wish list.

First come, first served...

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