Carrot import volumes have been relatively volatile in recent years. In 2015, total volumes exceeded 264,000 tonnes, compared to over 226,000 tonnes in 2014. Exports also showed interesting growth rates: compared to 2017, total exports doubled in 2018. This is what the Federal Institute for Agriculture and Food (BLE) estimates. The carrot market is also experiencing interesting shifts this year: Because of the weather-related quality problems of warehoused goods, imported goods are currently of increasing importance.
'Unusual situation'
This year, certain growing regions have been struggling to get their warehouse-goods into the cold store due to the unfortunate weather conditions. The quality of these goods is dropping off rather rapidly. As a result, the market has opened relatively early for goods from alternative places. "Dutch goods are entering the German market in large quantities, whereas in the past few years it was carrots from the region that were marketed mainly -due to the increased regional programs in the food retailing sector. So we are seeing an unusual situation with regard to carrot imports this year."
Israel: Export country of the future?
It is currently expected that imports of Dutch goods will be stop by week 15-16, with the result that food retailing is likely to increasingly switch over to Israel and Spain. "Spanish goods have become scarcer in recent years as more and more other produce is grown. Last year, there was also the heavy rainfall, which made for smaller volumes arriving in Germany." Israel, on the other hand, is establishing itself as a good alternative, as it places greater emphasis on conventional instead of organic cultivation.
Foreign cultivation of snack carrots is catching up
In addition to the countries mentioned, there are alternative sources. At the moment, Italy is also present on the market to a small extent, and from mid-May, France would normally also be active. An important topic in today's carrot industry is the steady development of snack carrots in the trade. These varieties are grown in many countries like Italy, Portugal, Israel and Denmark as well.
Denmark, like Germany, is now in the final production phase, but many suppliers will then seamlessly move into the new crop from Portugal. As expected, domestic goods will arrive on the market in late May at the earliest.