Netherlands: Gigantic supply of cauliflower and broccoli leads to catastrophic sales

According to full-ground vegetable traders cauliflower and broccoli sales can only be explained with one word right now: worthless. "Just a month ago there were barely any available, but in the last three weeks every thing's changed. The product was really expensive because there was barely any available and the harvest was postponed, but in the meantime we have pulled ahead and have received six to seven weeks worth of cauliflower and broccoli in twee weeks time."

"Even from a European standpoint, there is too much. In France there is way too much cauliflower, so sales are very difficult to realize. I expect this situation to last another week. After that the supply will rapidly decrease and the season will end significantly earlier than was planned," says a field vegetable trader. Right now net growers prices are between 10 and 15 cents per kilo for cauliflower and 45-50 cents per kilo for broccoli.

"We have been saying for years that the seasons are getting extremer and that is the case this year. We stared extremely early and had enormous highs and lows. We simply have to deal with outside products, and the weather decides what will happen. Incidentally, the erratic weather also offers new opportunities. Not just anyone can start growing cauliflower and broccoli."