The first regional dandelions from the Saarland will hit the market this week. "The last lettuces are now being cut, so that we can now devote ourselves fully to cultivating the dandelion plants. The dandelion's forcing process is particularly time-consuming," says Klemens Morguet, managing director of Lisdorfer Handels Ltd, which sources the leafy vegetables from three regional growers in the Saarland.
Cold spell would be disastrous
The weather is still optimal for dandelions, Morguet adds. "The dandelions are covered with fleece, but the crop is still quite weather-dependent. If the temperatures dip below -5oC, the dandelions are already in trouble, which is why a short cold spell would be disastrous."
Saarland dandelions are currently sold at €16-17 euros/kg at retail. They are marketed mainly loose, in 2kg crates.
Lively trade
As a regional highlight, dandelion remains popular with retailers, says Morguet. "As soon as regional lettuces run out completely - in about 2 to weeks - there's usually a noticeable uptick in marketing. The same is true during the Christmas season."
In parallel with the regional product, French imported goods are still offered. "These goods are comparable in price to ours, but a coarser and therefore cheaper variant is also being offered," Morguet says. Although the French generally distribute their goods year-round, there have been a smaller quantities shipped in than usual, he says, due to Corona and labor shortages.
"In the longer term, the French cultivation area will shrink down noticeably, and the same unfortunately applies to the Saarland acreages. It is estimated that the regional cultivation area has decreased by 40 to 50% in the last 10 years."
Besides dandelions, kale from Saarland is also on sale right now / Image: Lisdorfer Handels Ltd
Declining acreages
Nevertheless, the leafy vegetable is still considered a flagship product in the regional fresh trade, says Morguet. "At the weekly markets, the product is particularly well received. On the shelves, dandelions often have a shelf life of only one day due to their high sensitivity to air. This makes it rather difficult to market."
Despite the challenges on the part of production as well as marketing, there will still be Saarland dandelions in the coming decades, Morguet claims. "One of our three producers is now slowly reaching his retirement and we hope that his succession will be secured in time. If not, we would still have two other growers who will cultivate this product for us with a lot of passion."
For more information:
Lisdorfer Frischgemüse Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Klemens Morguet
Überherrnerstraße 17
D-66740 Saarlouis
Tel:+ 49 (0) 6831 40621
Großmarkt Saarbrücken:+ 49 (0) 681 67679
E-Mail: info@lfg-lisdorf.de
Internet: www.lfg-lisdorf.de