"Fennel market settles after erratic start"

The Dutch fennel market had an erratic start this year. "We had a volatile period with very high, but also very low, prices. The hot weather in June also caused some quality issues. This is in the past now, and prices are getting better", says Joop Litjens, who is from Leunen in North Limburg. With an area of 60 hectares, they are the largest fennel growers in the Netherlands.

"At the moment the price is at the 80 cent level. This is a good level, but we still have our work cut out for us," says Joop, who has invested in a new sorting line. He estimates that the Dutch fennel areal is about the same as last year. The same cannot be said for the yield. "We are going into a good second half. We will have fennel until probably mid-November."

Litjens fennel gets sold by Fossa Eugenia to the food industry, wholesalers and retailers. Most of it is sold locally and on the English market. Joop is positive about fennel's future. "The trend is still more towards vegetables and healthy eating. This suits fennel well. The product is getting increasing attention."

Mini-fennel, which he introduced a few years ago, is less popular. "We promoted the product a lot and everyone was enthusiastic, but in the end this did not result in much interest. Fennel is still a relatively unknown product, so the question was whether we should focus on a niche in a niche market. We can, however, still plant mini-fennel to order."

For more information:
Litjens Venkel
info@litjensvenkel.nl
www.litjensvenkel.nl

For sales information:
Fossa Eugenia
T. +31(0)883 210 210
F.+31(0)883 210 211
info@fossaeugenia.com
www.fossaeugenia.com