"UK not on the market for leeks"

This season's price forming for leeks is difficult. Usually, December and January are better for leeks, but this year the price only increased at the end of December. Some growers stop production in December since their Polish workers go on their Christmas holidays then. This resulted in a lower supply of leeks. "Just before Christmas, the price reached its peak of about EUR 0,55. This is generally just enough to cover costs", says Kees Jansen of Teelt- en Verpakkingsbedrijf Gebroeders Jansen, growers and packers from Etten-Leur in the Netherlands. "After Christmas, prices dropped again. Dutch prices are very reliant on the Belgian products. At the moment, prices are fluctuating between EUR 0,35 and EUR 0,40."

Further drop
Kees anticipates a further decrease and then an increase in prices in the coming period. "Growers who stopped production have some catching up to do. There will be a lot of extra leeks on the market. I only expect prices to climb when the frost arrives."

Demand on par
The demand for leeks remains the same. Gebroeders Jansen mainly supplies exporters and ensure quick delivery. They work with daily, weekly, as well as, yearly prices. Customers can add to their order at any time. Gebroeders Jansen has a wide distribution area. Russia is still missed as a point of sales, but there are sufficient alternate markets. "There is high demand from Scandinavia and Southern and Eastern Europe. It is noticeable that the United Kingdom has not been on the market for a long time. This probably has something to do with the low exchange rate, which means they are buying less", concludes Kees.

Teelt-en verpakkingsbedrijf Gebroeders Jansen B.V.
1 Naaldstraat
4873 LZ Etten-Leur
T: +31(0)76 526 4397
GSM Kees: + 31 (0)621 577 134
GSM Antoon: + 31 (0)621 577 135
info@jansenprei.nl
www.jansenprei.nl