Germany: Demand for cauliflower high during summer

“The arrival of warm summer weather has resulted in an increased growth of the cauliflower,” states Ketels. The cauliflower will be harvested as soon as it reaches a weight of about 1000 grams. “Our cauliflowers are an on-demand vegetable, they go directly after the harvest to the supermarket,” tells the expert.

The cauliflower is harvested first thing in the morning and almost ready to cook, and exactly to our customers wishes,” explains Jan Boje Ketels, “We start the harvest at four in the morning. This is the way to get the best quality with such a delicate product.” Cauliflower is very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. “If you harvest it at temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees and then stock them in cold storage they could develop brown spots. And cauliflower could get “sunburn” the cauliflower will become yellowy-brown. And we have to deal with pests and caterpillars," describes Ketels," All these factors influence the look of the head. And they should be avoided."

Especially during the warmer periods the cauliflower provides the producers with a particular challenge. “It is important that all the harvested cauliflowers are the same size and weight. You have got to be selective,” explains Ketels. A cauliflower must weigh between 800 and 1300 grams.

The demand for cauliflower increases during the summer. “But the prices fluctuate a lot. If there is a warm and wet period, then you can count on an increased supply of cauliflowers. That leads directly and inevitably to reduced prices.” The competitors for the German cauliflower producers can be found in Poland and the Benelux. According to Ketels it is difficult to predict the results of this season. “The trade gets increasingly difficult, year after year. And whether or not 2015 will be a good year, we don’t know yet.”