Sales of sprouts are currently going very well. “Especially the domestic market is doing well, but export is also starting now,” says cultivator and trader André Noordhoek. He personally cultivates sprouts on an area of about 90 hectares just north of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and, additionally, markets the sprouts of his colleagues to wholesalers, packing stations and exporters.
“Of course colder, autumnal weather is better for the sales of sprouts, but we cannot complain about current demand. Prices are at a decent level, between 50 and 70 cents,” Noordhoek explains. “Those prices are necessary, because yields are about 40 to 50 per cent lower than we were used to in recent years. The area once again decreased slightly, and, in addition, the region south of Utrecht has had much water damage.”
“Supply will start increasing somewhat in the coming weeks, especially that of the smaller sort. The larger ones will probably remain scarcer,” Noordhoek continues. He has seen sprouts sales showing an increasing trend in the past year. “They have been labelled super food, and are much hyped in, for example, the US. That offers great opportunities for sprouts, even though it is not the easiest market to supply.”