In the next few weeks, cabbage growers in North Carolina will begin their Fall harvest, the second season for the year. After conditions were close to average during summer and the fact North Carolina escaped any damaging effects from hurricane activity, farmers are not expecting any problems this cabbage season.
"We're going to start our Fall harvest in about 10 days," said Jimmy Burch, of Burch Farms in North Carolina. "This will be our second harvest for the year, after the spring harvest. During both the Spring and Fall seasons in North Carolina, cabbage makes up a couple of thousand acres of the state crop. This Fall, we have the 'Cheers' variety in the green cabbage and then our regular red cabbage variety also. The summer was ok without extremes and the crop looks healthy as a result. Word around the region is that farmers are expecting a normal harvest without any issues. Basically, just a nice regular season."
Demand solid and price steady
There are no surprises on the horizon in terms of price either, with the market looking to hold flat over the course of the season. Cabbage growers in North Carolina are happy for certainty in the market as other producers in the state have seen the price for their product drop.
"We sell mainly to the retail market, and demand from there is looking good. Cabbage right now is selling on the market for around $8.50 - $9 per 50lb carton," continued Burch. "For the Fall harvest, we expect the price to stay pretty flat throughout, which is good news for growers and buyers alike. Sweet potatoes, for example, are the dominant crop in North Carolina. But they've had a tough year with prices very low."
For more information:
Jimmy Burch
Burch Farms
Tel: +1 (800) 468-9668