With demand characterized as fair, Florida cauliflower growers are hoping that the launch of the tourist season will boost demand for their products. “It’s a fair supply of cauliflower right now and the quality is not the best. I am seeing a little purple tinge in the cauliflower and that usually comes from a lack of water,” says John Matthews of Bradenton, Fl.-based Suncoast Food Alliance. “We had some dry spells in the early to late fall and I’m thinking that’s where it came from. It’s going to get better though and I’m telling my customers, which are resorts and restaurants, that if you’re looking for a big beautiful piece to put on the plate, these aren’t coming out that way. It’s perfect for things like soups and more.”
Winter is coming
With the extension on the fall harvest season coming to a close and the winter season kicking off, Matthews is counting on that changing. “The cooler weather and the more rain that we get around this time of year, it corrects itself,” he notes.
Meanwhile demand for cauliflower remains equally average. “It’s not horrible and it’s on pace with last year which was low compared to the last five years,” he says. “I find prices a bit lower than last year. The supply is there but the demand isn’t.”
Recession turnaround?
Matthews notes that some believe that Florida restaurants are in a recession, which in turn affects demand. “They’re being pinched hard and they’re not going after the high-end product as much as they have in the past,” he says. “We’re doing what we can but so far it’s been a fairly difficult year. But we’re in a resort area and the tourists are starting to come down so we’re looking forward to things changing in the next week or two. Hopefully that’s what we’re going to see.”
For more information:
John Matthews
Suncoast Food Alliance
Tel: +1 941 284 3384
john@suncoastfoodalliance.com
http://suncoastfoodalliance.com/