Marketing of Dithmarschen white and red cabbage is currently proceeding along relatively calm lines, as Dirk Johannßen from Kohl Direkt informs us. "Marketing towards retail chains is unfolding without major promotions. Export to Scandinavia is also almost a constant, steady market throughout the year. Normally, by this time of year, exports to Central and Eastern Europe should also be picking up, but so far, demand is still waiting to materialize beyond sporadic inquiries." Eastern markets include Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, which are supplied with Dithmarschen cold storage produce after the end of the local season.
Dirk Johannßen is a cabbage producer in the Dithmarschen district and co-founder of marketing platform Kohl Direkt, established in 2021. Despite the wet field conditions during storage, the quality has been generally satisfactory.
The price situation could also be better, according to Johannßen. "Prices for both crate and sack goods have dropped by about 5 EUR/100 kg since January. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this downward trend. However, I could well imagine that this is partly due to consumer reluctance to buy. From the producer's perspective, costs, especially for storage, have recently increased significantly while prices have remained the same or decreased. Thus, we are observing a contrary trend, which in turn severely affects margins."
Minimal expansion of cultivation area expected
Slowly but surely, attention is also turning to the upcoming season, traditionally kicked off with the summer harvest of early cabbage. Johannßen: "Last season saw high prices for early cabbage. Consequently, compared to grains or other field crops, early cabbage has regained attractiveness, which is why a slight expansion of the cultivation area is not out of the question."
For more information:
Dirk Johannßen
Hof Johannßen / Kohl Direkt
Neufelderkoog 2
25724 Neufelderkoog
+49 1511 2128400
johannssen@kohl-direkt.de
www.kohl-direkt.de