For the local cauliflower producers, the harvest is almost over. Gradually, the markets are being taken over by foreign produce from France, Italy and Spain. For retailers, 2017 is already deemed to be a lost year.
Local cauliflowers still dominate the German wholesale markets, but for small retailers the situation has changed almost completely. Over the coming weeks, however, French and Spanish goods will take over. "Next week we will have sold the last lots," said Andreas Forschbach, Sales Manager of Plug Fruit and Vegetables in Hürth. This retailer considers 2017 to be a bad year for all cabbages. “The broccoli prices, compared to those of cauliflowers, are even more disappointing.”
Both yields and quality have actually been quite good. However, sales problems led to prices that were not always satisfactory. “The growers of course have to be able to make a living. At the moment the prices vary between 6 and 7 euros for a 6 piece-crate, which is clearly above the averages of this season in Germany. However, broccoli sales were at times quite a bit more difficult.”
Popularity
Although cauliflower is offered as a year-round product and is more popular than other varieties such as savoys or red cabbages, according to Forschbach sales have been going down for several years. “Especially in summer, consumers do not seem to have much interest in cauliflowers. Furthermore, in Germany cauliflowers are offered either raw or in frozen form. Intermediate forms, which for example are widely sold in the Netherlands, and seem to be very popular there, are scarcely available here.”
Other varieties such as the Romanesco and colored varieties are also very scarce.
Local cauliflowers still dominate the German wholesale markets, but for small retailers the situation has changed almost completely. Over the coming weeks, however, French and Spanish goods will take over. "Next week we will have sold the last lots," said Andreas Forschbach, Sales Manager of Plug Fruit and Vegetables in Hürth. This retailer considers 2017 to be a bad year for all cabbages. “The broccoli prices, compared to those of cauliflowers, are even more disappointing.”
Both yields and quality have actually been quite good. However, sales problems led to prices that were not always satisfactory. “The growers of course have to be able to make a living. At the moment the prices vary between 6 and 7 euros for a 6 piece-crate, which is clearly above the averages of this season in Germany. However, broccoli sales were at times quite a bit more difficult.” Popularity
Although cauliflower is offered as a year-round product and is more popular than other varieties such as savoys or red cabbages, according to Forschbach sales have been going down for several years. “Especially in summer, consumers do not seem to have much interest in cauliflowers. Furthermore, in Germany cauliflowers are offered either raw or in frozen form. Intermediate forms, which for example are widely sold in the Netherlands, and seem to be very popular there, are scarcely available here.”
Other varieties such as the Romanesco and colored varieties are also very scarce.
Forschbach: “The Romanesco has clearly lost ground. Colored varieties such as violet cabbages do appear on weekly markets, but only occasionally. The Germans are still very reticent in this regard.”
Wholesale markets
On the wholesale markets, domestic produce dominates. The average prices are 164 euros (6 piece-crate) and 130 euros (8 piece-crate) per 100 kg. The prices of French goods are 167 euros per 100 kg (6 piece-crate). Both Belgian (177 euros) and Italian goods (190 euros) are a bit more expensive.
For more information:
Plug Verpackungs-GmbH
Wholesale markets
On the wholesale markets, domestic produce dominates. The average prices are 164 euros (6 piece-crate) and 130 euros (8 piece-crate) per 100 kg. The prices of French goods are 167 euros per 100 kg (6 piece-crate). Both Belgian (177 euros) and Italian goods (190 euros) are a bit more expensive.
For more information:
Plug Verpackungs-GmbH
Andreas Forschbach
Marktweg 65
50354 Hürth
Tel.: 0049 (0) 2233 40282-0