"Less alternative lettuce varieties available, higher prices"

The frequent rain showers in the province of Antwerp were bad for the alternative lettuce varieties from the open field. "We did not have very heavy rainfall, just rain for weeks on end. This way the lettuce was qualitatively less strong and the field conditions deteriorated, with regard to harvesting as well as sowing. We harvested the last batch from before the rain last week and it is easy to see that they suffered from the rain. We have heard similar complaints from fellow producers," says Ortwin Ceulemans of produce company Crotoni.

Higher-level fields

He continues: "Fortunately, the weather has improved since last weekend and we expect to be on a normal level regarding supply. We will still see some consequences of the rain. Our products are grown on the higher-level fields, which we normally use only in autumn. We hope that the weather is not going to be too dry, because then we will have trouble with irrigation."

Higher prices

The prices for the alternative lettuce varieties are relatively high due to the shortage. "The Lollo Rossa, 360 gram double extra, costs about 70 cents. About 35 cents is paid for the Bionda, 40 cents for the green oak leaf lettuce, and 80 cents for the red oak leaf lettuce. The first two varieties are produced in the largest volumes at our company. We tried produces iceberg lettuce for a while, but the competition in the Netherlands was just too much."

Crotoni is specialized in the production of alternative lettuce varieties in the open field of about 20 hectares.

For more information:
Crotoni BVBA
Neerloop 5A
2500 Lier - Belgium

GSM: +32 473 448071
ortwin@crotoni.be