The spring frost dealt us a considerable blow. "Its effects are being felt now. You can see that all spring products suffering because of it - cauliflower, broccoli, early pointed cabbage, as well as iceberg lettuce. We started with the iceberg a couple of weeks ago", says Niels Zuurbier of the Dutch grower, Ursem-Zuurbier. The cultivation is more difficult than other years. There have, however, not been any significant delays. "We only started a week late. The warm weather is, however, causing quality issues in the cultivation. In North Holland, these effects are tempered by the sea climate. We have more problems in the south of the Netherlands. We will, probably, experience the effects of the warm weather in the coming period too."
Harvesting iceberg lettuce
A positive effect of the warm weather is that it is pushing up demand. Many people have held barbecues a few times already. It is, for the moment, in any case, a demanding market. "I expect this to continue for a while. The supply is increasing, but it will probably not exceed the demand. This is due to the quality problems and the weather forecast for the coming days."
Iceberg lettuce remains a popular product. It has an extensive market. It is sold overseas and goes to the fresh market as well as processors. This results in a satisfactory free market price formation. Niels says, "We are at about 4.5 euro per box of ten heads." The shortage on the market, however, does not strengthen the growers' positions. "You have, of course, your contract work that has already been agreed-upon. Buyers also expect the same prices as last year. They do not want to pay for sustainability. PlanetProof/Milieukeur has become the norm. Yet, they still want it for the same price as before. This does not please us", he says.
Ursem-Zuurbier grows iceberg lettuce and pointed cabbage. They have about 200 hectares of iceberg lettuce. This is in the Heiloo-Alkmaar-Heerhugowaard region in the Netherlands. The end product, harvested mechanically, is cooled straight from the field in a vacuum chamber. This means the product can be supplied within three hours of harvesting. They are supplied to various buyers. The lettuce is packaged in bags for the fresh market or loose, by the dozen, for the processors. Ursem-Zuurbier's iceberg lettuce is sold via The Greenery.
For more information:
Ursem-Zuurbier
6a Donkereweg
1704DV, Heerhugowaard
M: + 31 (0) 654 741 523