Overall, the organic sector 
in northern Germany can look back on an eventful marketing season. "Due to the drought, we have had to accept hard losses of up to 50 percent, especially for organic carrots. There were also yield losses of 20 percent in red beets. However, the harvest losses, as well as the high production costs, were largely offset by the high producer prices. In this respect, the doubling of carrot prices saved our season," says Denis Strickrodt (r), buyer and seller at Bio Markt Nord Ltd, based in Hamelin.
The producer group markets only organic root vegetables and potatoes from Bio Markt Nord shareholder farms and other partner farms in Lower Saxony that grow only organic vegetables in accordance with association standards. The company supplies bulk packers and food retail chains throughout Germany. At the moment, the company is in the classic summer slump, says Strickrodt.
"Only in about two weeks will we be able to access newly harvested organic carrots from Lower Saxony. Our own goods will probably be available from the beginning of August, and in October we will then successively start the new harvest of beetroot, parsnips and co." In order to close the marketing gap for carrots, the company offered Israeli organic imported goods until last year, he said. "For cost reasons, our partner from Israel now only exports conventional food carrots that were not marketed through Bio Markt Nord."
Overall, he said, demand for regional organic root vegetables has been high and stable throughout the season. Strickrodt: "Compared to the previous year, we have been able to sell our produce very well. Only the marketing of our parsnips was a bit slow, although we were able to market the entire harvest volume in the end. In my opinion, this was related to several factors: First, the parsnip is quite high-priced compared to a carrot. Second, it's also considered more of an add-on item that people are most likely to do without - also with inflation in mind." Accordingly, there will be a slight decline in parsnip acreage this year.
Good prospects for the upcoming season
Despite numerous challenges, Strickrodt is looking ahead with confidence. "The market, meaning sales of organic vegetables, continues to be good and stable. Vegetation has developed very well in recent weeks, which is why we expect good yields from today's perspective." In the longer term, too, the trend in regional organic vegetable production is quite positive. Expansion potential exists accordingly, he said. "We have hardly dealt with possible range extensions in recent years, but are absolutely open to new crops. However, we have limited irrigation capabilities, which is why certain crops are harder to produce."
For more information:
Denis Strickrodt
Bio Markt Nord GmbH
Gut Oehrsen 1
31789 Hameln
Tel.: 05151 100-188
Fax 05151 100-189
mail@biomarktnord.de
www.biomarktnord.de