Will a good chicory market save the season?

“The supply is limited at the moment. We are at the end of the season of the old roots and one year it is easier in a production-technical way than in another. Given the price level, I expect that there to be a general decrease in production,” says Gerwin. He expects that the price will remain good in the near future. “It will be colder, which is always advantageous for chicory consumption. Besides, the new roots are coming and the price of those is always a bit higher. Other open field vegetables are limitedly available as well. Actually, all sales regions have a good demand for chicory due to a lack of alternatives. That is why a country like Italy has a good market.” 

“The new harvest will not be particularly large, there have been too many bad fields in the whole line. All in all, next year there will be less chicory roots available. This is not a disaster, as long as the price compensates for it. Prices at above 2 euros won't last, but we would like the price to be above 1 euro. With an average price of 60 cents, like last season, you cannot survive as a producer. I fear that a good final agreement will not improve the season for many Dutch producers.”

For radicchio, there is not good price at the fair. “Radicchio, however, has had a reasonable price, except for the summer dip. The market of radicchio stands on its own, it remains a very small niche market. If there is an expansion, then the market will implode immediately, but right now, the supply and demand is properly balanced. We have a good demand for it, even though they are all very small orders.”