Smaller fries, smaller bodies of lettuce, smaller pears: the effects of drought and heat on fruits and vegetables become visible

Mohamed Ballouti, a 22-year veteran of the fruit and vegetable trade in Amsterdam, has never seen prices like they are today. His family business, usually stocked with meat, now displays oversized watermelons and other fruits, a necessity due to the heat making it too costly to keep meat cool.

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It's too hot to keep the meat cool here. It costs so much electricity, the cooling almost broke down. I've removed all the meat and left it in the cold storage.

The price of honey tomatoes has risen by a quarter, and a small box of Dutch strawberries costs 6 euros. Ballouti explains that the heat and drought have reduced supply from wholesalers, pushing prices up. Imported figs from Turkey, normally a euro each, now cost 1.50 euros due to increased transport costs linked to the war between the US and Iran, which has driven up diesel prices.

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There is simply less supply at the wholesaler, and so prices go up.

Selma Seddik, co-founder of Instock, a wholesaler specializing in surplus produce, sees a potential upside. "In a way, it's good news that the fruit is now smaller and scarcer due to the drought: there will be less supply, so less will be wasted," she said. "And customers can't be so picky about the size of the fruit."

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I can't help it. Due to the heat and drought, much of the fruit is smaller and more expensive.

This trend of smaller produce is widespread. Potato processor Aviko has informed clients that fries from the new harvest will be shorter due to persistent drought, prompting temporary adjustments to their specifications. Supermarket chain Jumbo is also adapting product specifications to accommodate growers and prevent waste, noting that some lettuce now weighs less but maintains quality.

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Hard work for little pay, never grumpy.