“It will be an extraordinary year for the leek,” states Gijs van den Oever of Van den Elzen, Vegetable Processors. “The heavy rainfall has hindered the growth of the plants, so producers all over Europe could not plant in time. Subsequently, we had a whole period without rain. By now, it seems like the weather extremes are becoming a trend!”
“The hot Indian summer was not very good for leek consumption. In our profession we say ‘hot ladies stop the trade’, so when it is 30 degrees Celsius outside no one buys leeks. It will be good for us if the weather gets colder,” says Gijs. “The supply is relatively slow at the moment. Usually there are lower prices at this time of the year, but we have changed our produce planning because of this. Due to the above-mentioned reasons, the supply is not overwhelming. The prices have been reasonably high and the sales are going as planned.”
Gijs van den Oever and Paul van den Elzen
“The prices vary between the 55 and 60 cents in the Netherlands, and Belgium has an even higher price level of 80 cents. I expect that there will be a shortage of leeks in the near future. Everybody had fewer kilos from their field than usual and this will undoubtedly have its effect on the market. Besides, the weather is changing, so the demand will only increase. There is a lot about to happen on the leek market, due to the lower supply and higher demand.”
For more information:
Van den Elzen Vegetable Processors
Duifhuizerweg 21
5406 TB Uden (Netherlands)
Tel: +31(0)413-782 999
Mob: +31(0)6-27050202 (Gijs)
Mob: +31(0)6-54795196 (Paul)
info@elzengroentenverwerking.nl
www.prei.nl