A lot of Dutch lettuce growers have stopped their greenhouse lettuce production after the fusarium problems. Henk van Doorne of Van Doorne Imex from ’s-Gravenzande, the Netherlands, is one of the growers left, but he doesn’t see a solution to the problem either. “I have now done a major test three times, and it doesn’t solve anything, so I’ve decided to stop the tests. We growers caused the problems ourselves. We have to return to the old-fashioned crop rotation, with occasionally a melon, pak-choi cabbage or radish thrown in.”
“But I’m only a small player now,” the growing trader is quick to say. “But the exporters, particularly in far-off destinations, still know how to find me. In the past I still sold to Dutch wholesalers, but about 90 per cent of my lettuce is shipped via air cargo nowadays, about 150 boxes every day. Mostly to the Middle East, but also to countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong or the US. It hasn’t become any easier. Those guys sometimes know day trading prices before I do, but because we are very much dedicated to quality, they often return to us. The Middle East has some projects with lettuce production on water, but these are still in their development phases. Not all varieties can survive there, and they’re nowhere near self-supporting yet, although they’re working on it.”
“The Dutch survivors have had a good summer, but demand is now dropping. Prices of poly-lettuce were around 33 cent early last week, but they’ve dropped now, and prices of jumbo lettuce is fluctuating considerably. It can be explained, of course, because nature is recovering and outdoor growers are harvesting a good-quality product. Besides, we’re headed for October, and that’s traditionally a more meagre period up till 5 December. I expect a fair lettuce supply, from greenhouses as well, so we’ll have to wait and see how the market will absorb that.”
For more information:
Henk van Doorne
Van Doorne Imex
Noordlandseweg 60-62
2691 KM 's-Gravenzande, the Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)174 417 989
Fax: +31 (0)174 417 989
Mob: +31 (0)6 260 682 84