Radish market upswing not far off

Typical for this time of year is a quiet radish market, something this year's high temperatures can't change either. John Grootscholten of Daily Fresh Radish is only expecting some movement from November on. "That's when German demand starts picking up again."

Despite the high temperatures, the radish market is quiet. "If you have this weather in spring, it's booming," John Grootscholten of Daily Fresh Radish says. "With this weather, you see demand for radish double in spring. That doesn't happen in autumn." It's typical for the season, the grower says. "There isn't that much attention for radish in stores either. After the summer, it's time for soft fruit. That's the way the consumer thinks as well. In spring, supermarkets reserve more space for open field produce. Consumers are looking forward to that, they want raw vegetables again, and are happy to find radish in stores."

December production
Decreasing demand in September/October is a yearly occurrence, and the production schedule at Daily Fresh Radish has been adjusted to this. Furthermore, there has to be a lot of room in greenhouses during this period, to be able to sow a lot each day. If you sow one day later now, you'll harvest 3 days later in December. "It's growing completely apart. If you want to have production in December, you'll have to start sowing more square metres now. That's what we're working towards."

No complaining
The Russian boycott has also influenced radish pricing over the past months. "For us, Russia wasn't a big buyer, but other players did supply quite a few kilo bales to Russia. I don't really notice it in the volumes of radish leaving the barn here, but you do see on the market that prices aren't going up. So there are some batches in the way." All in all, the season hasn't been too good. "Not that great", Grootscholten confirms. "But when I hear what's going on everywhere, I think we shouldn't complain too much. So I'm not doing that."

From November onwards, the growers are expecting some more movement again, particularly from the German markets. "In Southern Germany, radish is grown outside. Starting in November, that production will disappear. Then they'll switch to Italian and Dutch produce."

Look at the Daily Fresh Radish brochure here.

For more information:
Daily Fresh Radish
Fa. J. & D. Grootscholten
Hoge Geest 25
2671 LK Naaldwijk
Netherlands
E-mail: info@dailyfreshradish.nl
Website: www.dailyfreshradish.nl

For sales enquiries:
Telerscoöperatie Best of Four u.a.
Ziedewij 5
2991 LA Barendrecht
E-mail: info@bestoffour.nl
Phone: +31(0)180 622 499
Fax: +31(0)180 820 222
www.bestoffour.nl