The Dutch season has begun at open field vegetable farm, Compliment. "Last week, we started harvesting mini romaine and bok choy, and Shanghai bok choy. Next week we'll begin with the regular bok choy and iceberg lettuce, then move on to celeriac and Bimi broccoli in late May. It's celery's turn in mid-June," says Peer Schraven, who became the company's director and co-shareholder on January 1, 2021.
The season has its challenges, thanks to a dry spring. "We're irrigating fully. That requires much effort, but we have plenty of irrigation options, so we can respond well." The Spanish season has had its challenges, too, due to things like rain and the Sahara storm. "Those products, thus, demanded more work. Still, we can't complain about how the Spanish season went."
"Prices of, say, iceberg lettuce are currently good, but our production process faces considerable cost increases. The open-field vegetable acreage has remained fairly stable. We'll see what the season brings; there are some market forces at play. The start of the season is always hectic. I hope it'll be another good season, quality, cultivation, and price-wise," explains Peer.
Compliment's assortment includes a new product: Bimi broccoli. "A retailer approached to organize this product year-round for them. We grow this in the Netherlands in the summer and from Spain in the winter." He sees a lot of potential in this product. "Bimi broccoli is a green vegetable, so it's trendy. There's also no waste; it's versatile and quick to prepare. All that gave us the confidence to start this crop," Peer concludes.
For more information:
Peer Schraven
Compliment BV
1 Zeelandsedijk
5408 SL, Volkel, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 622 085 660
Email: peer@complimentbv.nl
Website: www.complimentbv.nl