Marketing of white
and red cabbage from the northern German cold stores is already well into the second half of the season. Traditionally, April sees increased demand on the export market, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe. Despite the war in Ukraine and the associated uncertainties, the export season is expected to be normal for the time being, Matthias Bartels, Managing Director of the Dithmarsch-based trading company FreshField, told us.
Around Easter, people could observe a brisk demand for stored vegetables, says Bartels. "Until halfway through week 15, potatoes and carrots in particular were in high demand in the domestic market, although there have been no special promotions by retailers this year." Meanwhile, early cabbage has already been planted across the country, with mostly good weather. "In some places, growers even complained because it was a bit too dry. Nevertheless, we will probably be able to offer the first early cabbages in week 25, i.e., at the end of June," Bartels predicts.
Insight into the cold store
Quiet export market
The Dithmarsch-based trading company is primarily dedicated to marketing cabbages from regional, northern German cultivation. A substantial part of the total revenue is exported, mainly to Poland, Hungary or Romania. Bartels: "Certain exporters were able to market nice volumes of large-caliber produce at good prices until the end of March. Since the beginning of April, however, the great euphoria seems to be over, while price levels are still relatively high and stable."
Nevertheless, a rather unusual price situation can be observed at the moment, Bartels continues. "Normally, prices on the export market will rise much more rapidly compared to the domestic market. Currently we are seeing an almost similar price trend. This is compounded by the massive
cost increases our growers are having to deal with. Although there will always be some discrepancy between grower and selling price, so far we have been able to pass on the additional costs to some extent."
Right: Red cabbage normally contiues through to the middle of June, but they can get expensive again at the end, Bartels says.
Normal supply situation
Despite the current impasse in exports and the war in Ukraine, Bartels expects the eastern business to pick up soon, he says. "The first inquiries from Hungary have already arrived and in the Netherlands, a traditionally strong export country, remaining stocks seem to be quite tight. I have a gut feeling that there are still sufficient volumes available in that country, especially since there are always some producers who will speculate, and do not want to market their goods until the end of the campaign. Accordingly, I expect normal stock levels and a seamless transition to the early cabbage harvest in June."
For more information:
Matthias Bartels
FreshField Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
An der B5 Nr. 22
25709 Helse / Dithmarschen
Tel : 0049 – 4851 – 956 965 0
Cell: 0049 – 171 – 69 20 882
Info@freshfield.sh
matthias@freshcoast.de
freshfield.sh