The Belgian soil-grown chicory season is gradually nearing its end. With the asparagus season starting and summer approaching, consumers will increasingly be leaning toward products like tomatoes and asparagus. "The end is in sight. Many growers have already stopped the soil-grown whites. We still have supply, but in very limited volumes," says Herman Lion of Lathouwers and Co.
"That doesn't mean prices will skyrocket. As the weather improves, demand begins to lag. It declines slowly, though, so prices don't fluctuate much. That's true for soil-grown and hydro chicory. The closer to summer, the less demand becomes. But prices are stable."
The later limited availability of greenhouse vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers has not, per se, led to a run on chicory. "Adding a bit of chicory makes a salad more attractive. And there's more of a trend of mixing these leaves into salads," Herman explains, "but it's still a hard sell for younger people. If they're not used to the flavor, they often find it too bitter. It's an acquired taste, and if that happens en masse, demand will explode. That, however, might be a pipe dream."
Herman likes that there are initiatives to boost chicory consumption, but: "Sadly, that attention is fleeting. An initiative like the 'Week of Chicory' lasts literally only a week. Perhaps it should be several weeks longer. The craft involved in ground chicory cultivation could certainly be highlighted slightly more," Herman concludes.
For more information:
Herman Lion
Lathouwers en Co
39 Veilinglaan
1861, Wolvertem, Meise, BE
Tel: +32 (0) 523 97 900
Email: info@lathouwers.net
Website: www.lathouwers.net