Since buyers prefer smaller zucchini, growers harvest them every day. Photo: Tamara Čalošević
(MARKET PRICES) When Zucchini Goes Wild: Why Growers Pick Them Every Day
Zucchini is one of those crops that can surprise growers with their fast growth. According to saleswomen from Ljubljana markets, this is not always good news, as customers prefer smaller ones.
24 June 2026, 15.03
TC
The saleswoman at the Moste market said that zucchini is sown as early as March. “Then they are put in the greenhouse, they are moved out by the ice men. They are very sensitive, just one cold night can make them freeze,” she explained. Meanwhile, the greenhouse provides them with a constant temperature. Although they are sensitive to cold, there is not much to do with them. “They are really undemanding, but they need a lot of water. We collect smaller ones every day, because customers like that they don’t have legs,” she added.
The specialty of zucchini is their fast growth, which is why growers pay them some attention every day. “If you don’t check them one day, the next day you can find a really big pumpkin,” said the saleswoman, illustrating the size with her hands. “Then the customers use them for pies or something.” They bloom every day, so they are sown again in the summer for the fall.
Fast growth allows for a good supply of zucchini, which is also reflected in the price. “The first is four euros, but then the price drops to three or two euros. If we really have a lot of them, we can sell them for a euro or a euro and a half per kilogram,” the saleswoman at the neighboring stand listed the possible prices.
Although they have no problems with sales, they notice that zucchinis are bought less compared to cucumbers. Even more, the people of Ljubljana prefer to buy local and fresh fruit at the stalls.
When we arrived, for example, a few customers bought local cherries, and the basket with apricots was also emptied very quickly. “They started about a week ago. For now, they are still quite firm, but if you leave them on the table for a day or so, they are really good,” the saleswoman explained to the customer before filling her bag. “Apricots sell very well, just like other fruits,” she added.
