The French sauerkraut Association has sounded the alarm! A bad 2013 harvest (-30% yield compared to 2012) and a lack of cost value from supermarkets is putting the sector's 17 companies in danger.
This 53,000 ton market in France has an approximate €40 million turnover and is spread over fresh produce markets, canned and agri-food industries.
''Our product is sometimes sold for less than raw bulk cabbage'' complains Claude Thébault, President of the association. Raw cabbage is sold at approx. €70/ton.
Due to the 2013 weather conditions, the prices soared and ''distributors are not recognising this increase'' says Claude Thébault. To revive cabbage consumption and therefore the cabbage sector, the organisation is trying to update how to use the vegetable, i.e. how to use cabbage for something other than just sauerkraut.