“Three-fifths of the fresh fruit and vegetables traded commercially around the globe are now sold at a loss or breakeven price, following an unprecedented increase in production and operating costs during the pandemic.”
Fertiliser rose 60%, construction 48%, fuel 41%, shipping and electricity 40%. Growers raised prices 11% in Europe and 14% in North America, and it still wasn’t enough. Eighty percent of producers delayed or cancelled investment. Shoppers paid more for vegetables and the people growing them still lost money, which tells you exactly where the margin went.