"Fennel cultivation under pressure"

The Dutch fennel season had a fast growing start, but is facing a number of challenges at the moment, says Joop Litjens, the largest fennel grower in the Netherlands. "The drought isn't as much of a problem, there are enough irrigation options, but the heat combined with the long days is causing quality problems."

Fennel harvest at Litjensvenkel

This has meant the yields are considerably behind. The grower wants to meet his contract agreements first, which means there is a lot less fennel available for the open market. There is no improvement in view for now. "We had to harvest a number of plots early. Newly seeded plots had a bad start, which meant the bulbs don't develop properly. We have now planted sprouted plants in the greenhouses, something we usually do at the start at the season, and they have had a difficult start too."

The fennel season will continue until mid November, but the past few weeks have already left a "bad mark on the season", according to Joop. The price level is high due to the shortages, particularly in the larger sizes, as the demand for Dutch fennel is high. "There is increasing demand from the market and the consumption of fennel is increasing year by year. But fennel is a stress sensitive plant and the extreme weather conditions over the last three years have made it difficult to offer continuity. I think the seed breeder could work on less stress-sensitive varieties."

Litjens Venkel is active in various market segments in which the sales are organised by Fossa Eugenia. Fossa Eugenia can also offer fennel outside of the Dutch season.

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

T: +31 6 509 42 816

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