High gas prices led Dutch greenhouse growers to cut their production last year, with the total volume of vegetables raised under glass down almost 8% to 1.8 million tonnes, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

The tomato harvest, for example, fell by 110 million kilos to 77 million kilos while cucumber production was down 10%. There was less impact on the production of bell peppers, however, while the aubergine harvest was up nearly 12%.

Over the past 10 years, the production of aubergines has gone up 40%, while 26% more paprikas are being grown in Dutch greenhouses. Nevertheless, aubergines only account for less than 3% of production under glass.

Tomato production over the same period has fallen over 4% but still accounts for over 36% of the total.

Dutch consumers are facing increasingly high prices for out of season fruit and vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli and lettuce, with €3.50 the norm for a cauliflower in some supermarkets, broadcaster NOS reported earlier this year.

A combination of high gas prices which have prompted domestic greenhouse growers to plant fewer crops and bad weather affecting supply from Morocco and Spain has impacted availability, Gerard van den Akker of produce auction Bilthoven said.

In total, Dutch greenhouses cover some 5,000 hectares.