Cauliflower is well-known for its erratic production, and this year is no exception. "Supply is currently very limited," says Ruud Slagter of P.N. Slagter in the Netherlands, who grows cauliflower on 180 hectares and markets fellow growers' produce. "Late summer was sweltering with nights above 20°C. Those plants that had no cauliflower heads yet stopped growing. The heads that were there proliferated. We, thus, harvested a lot in August. Because there were plenty of exports, the price remained fairly stable."
The Slagter team
"However, there were shortages throughout September, which will continue unabated for two or three more weeks," Ruud says. Although cauliflower prices are currently high, at €2, he says there is no reason to celebrate. "Most growers hardly have any product left for the day trade, so that price doesn't benefit many people. In August, the price was around €0.70 to €0.80, but, thanks to good exports, the growers earned more."
Ruud is satisfied with the season's overall prices. "Price-wise, it's a top year. Still, costs have risen much harder. So next year's contracts will have to be concluded at a higher level," he explains. The season is not yet over at Slagter. "We usually harvest a lot in September and October, with supplies decreasing considerably in November. We're done by early December. It's already October, and we still have 40 hectares to harvest. If it doesn't get bitterly cold, we could finish the season in January."
Besides cauliflower, Ruud's company trade in various other vegetables like broccoli, Romanesco, iceberg lettuce, purple and orange cauliflower, and various types of cabbage. "We sell products like Romanesco and colored cauliflower to greengrocers and restaurants. Those sales have gone well this season. These volumes are much smaller than cauliflower, but it's a nice niche market to serve. In cauliflower, you have to rely on the masses, but niche products present completely different challenges," he concludes.
For more information:
Ruud Slagter
Fa. P.N. Slagter
43 Kadijkweg
1619 PJ, Andijk, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 637 351 433
Email: ruud@pnslagter.nl
Website: www.pnslagter.nl