"The late spring is strongly fueling Brussels sprout demand. It even snowed in Scandinavia. That always benefits sales," says Dutch company Fresh2You's Menno Molenaar.
Fresh2You's Dutch Brussels sprout season is over, and they have stopped getting Scottish sprouts. They are now sourcing sprouts from their farm in Morocco. The Dutch season went well, says Menno. "The average cost price rose sharply; then it's good to see payout prices at a level that benefits growers."
Dutch crop
A recent social media post expressed surprise at Moroccan Brussels sprouts being available in Dutch supermarkets. "The Dutch season's over. As soon as we no longer supply from Morocco, retailers will switch to winter programs rather than year-round availability. I'm sure it's precisely this year-round supply that directly and indirectly helps Dutch growers get their products on shelves."
"Dutch product is always preferred when supplying from the Netherlands. Cultivation rotation is also important in all countries to keep plots in top condition. In that respect, growing Brussels sprouts contribute to healthy plots with sufficient diversity and organic matter," Menno explains.
Moroccan crop
The same international varieties are cultivated in Morocco, but their growing conditions differ. "They grow in the sun, so taste sweeter. Also, they're harvested by hand rather than all at once by machine." Fresh2You's Moroccan season ends as soon as the Dutch crop is ready.
"As a year-round sprout specialist, we work with our cultivation in the Netherlands and Morocco and collaborations with cultivation local and overseas partners. We thus achieve year-round continuity in availability and quality. It's generally a nice way for us to contribute to healthy food availability," Menno concludes.
For more information:
M
enno Molenaar
Fresh2You
19 Transportweg
2991 LV, Barendrecht, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 653 252 597
Email: m.molenaar@fresh2you.nl
Website: www.fresh2you.nl