The Dutch radicchio area is around fifty hectares and of this, Spruit Witlofkwekerij from Nibbixwoud accounts for around twelve hectares. The full chicory and radicchio production of Spruit is marketed through Best of Four by Vogel AGF from Zwaagdijk. "The radicchio area has been stable for years. Last year it wasn't particularly good or bad, but compared to the chicory sales, radicchio is doing much better, as the chicory sales have been dramatic in recent years. On the other hand, as soon as there is just a little too much radicchio, the market collapses," says Robert Vogel.
Vogel AGF supplies the radicchio and chicory to supermarkets, vegetable cutters, food service suppliers, wholesalers and exporter. "The cultivation of radicchio is the same as chicory, but the yield of the roots is only 60% of what we're used to with chicory and the yield in kilos are only 50%," says Robert. "The radicchio is used a lot as garnish in salads. It's quite an exclusive product and is also exported to destinations like the United States and Japan. You always see the demand increase around Christmas."
The availability if radicchio in the supermarkets is still limited. "We have an offer on this week with two heads of radicchio and two heads on chicory together, but it's not all structural. There are more initiatives with radicchio in the supermarkets this year. If the retail takes it onto their shelves permanently, there could be big growing possibilities."
For more information:
Robert Vogel
Vogel AGF
Groothandelsmarkt 17
1681 NN Zwaagdijk-Oost
Tel: 0031 228-565060
www.vogelagf.nl