The wet field conditions in the Dithmarschen district have slowed down the growth of the cabbage vegetable. "Our Brussels sprouts are not growing at the moment and are mostly small. In October alone, we had 
a total of over 200 mm of rain, which led to a higher proportion of A-calibre sprouts (23-28 mm) instead of the usual B-calibre sprouts (30+). However, the weather is expected to remain bad and wet and leaving the produce in the field will ultimately not make it any better. In this respect, the season is shaping up to be quite difficult," explains Harm Feil from the vegetable farm of the same name based in Kronprinzenkoog.
Right: Harvest work on the Feil farm.
However, sales have remained high and stable since the start of the harvest on 20 September. Feil: "Accordingly, we are currently trying to push up prices and thus slow down sales so that we still have enough produce for Christmas. My aim is always to take advantage of the Christmas business and market the last batches around mid-January."
Insights into the preparation of Brussels sprouts.
In 2017, Feil decided to plant around 20 ha of Brussels sprouts and has since quadrupled the cultivation capacity. "We are planning to expand the area further to 95-100 ha," says the Landgard producer, who also produces carrots and white cabbage on 70 ha each. "I am convinced that we will also be able to sell 100 ha. In the end, it's a displacement market: what we sell doesn't have to be imported from neighbouring countries. Overall, sales are fine. Only the quality has to be right, especially as we also produce goods for the West German market here in the north and therefore have to take longer transport routes into account."
Brussels sprouts fresh from the field.
Whitefly leads to higher rejects
Meanwhile, Brussels sprout growers have to contend with increasing risks and costs in cultivation. "Compared to our other crops, Brussels sprouts are particularly high-maintenance, which has a corresponding impact on today's labour costs. This is exacerbated by pest pressure, i.e. the increase in whitefly. We have to face up to these challenges, especially as the authorised plant protection products are becoming increasingly restricted. The bottom line is that this leads to five to eight per cent more rejects than three to four years ago. The qualities demanded by the trade will not make it any easier for us farmers in the future. It is also difficult to sensitise food retailers to this issue."
Aerial view of the Feil vegetable farm in the heart of the cabbage stronghold of Dithmarschen.
Nevertheless, Brussels sprouts have developed into a stable and growing market segment, Feil continues. "The product will certainly not lose importance in the coming years. For the younger generation in particular, Brussels sprouts are easier to prepare than many other types of cabbage. I also see further potential in this respect, and not just in winter. In the USA, Brussels sprouts, like kale, have established themselves as an ingredient in summer salads. We're still a long way from that in this country, but we're always surprised at the quantities that flow out at the start of the season in September."
However, the traditional sales peak is still concentrated in the run-up to Christmas. "In the week leading up to Christmas, we switch to 24-hour processing in order to meet demand to some extent, although we can't fulfil all customer requests. We also deliver Brussels sprouts to Sweden during this time: This export branch has also grown in importance over the years."
Images: Feil Gemüsebau
For more information:
Harm Feil
Feil Gemüsebau
Kirchenstr. 52
D-25709 Kronprinzenkoog
T: +49-170-9239963
feil.kronprinzenkoog@t-online.de