In the Netherlands, Oxin Growers and its broccoli growers recently reviewed the past season and looked ahead to next year. "We concluded that, generally, it's greatly challenging. Growers face substantial cost increases, the weather significantly affects production, and there's limited available land. Product availability has thus become key. Our trading partners truly want that," says commercial manager Ruud den Boer.
"The biggest challenge, therefore, doesn't lie on the demand side, but with supply. Cultivation and labor costs are skyrocketing, especially given the 10% higher minimum wage next year. And try finding enough people to work in outdoor cultivation. Greenhouse working conditions are undoubtedly far stabler, which doesn't make finding staff any easier."
Ruud den Boer
"The weather didn't cooperate last year, either. A still sodden fall followed a dry, warm spring, complicating cultivation. That's true for all of Europe. Go further south, and even there, there's no guarantee of a hassle-free crop," continues the commercial manager.
"Another factor we increasingly deal with is leasing available land. Due to various obligations, like widening field edges and restrictions regarding fauna management, more and more acreage is needed for the same production. Leasing fees have also shot up, partly because of competition from other crops, such as flower bulbs."
"Most of those things are beyond growers' control. You can't solve this by working hard; everything hinges on product availability. And the cost increases create a snowball effect throughout the chain. That means another rise in contract prices for next year is unavoidable. We reckon that should be at least around 10-15% to just cover growers' cost increases," Ruud says.
Oxin Growers's open field acreage totals 2.000 hectares, with broccoli occupying about a third of that. "We want to remain a major outdoor cultivation player and want to keep professionalizing. Next year, we're aiming for further acreage growth. We're currently in plenty of discussions with full soil growers - who aren't yet affiliated with a growers' association - to further boost our acreage. Also, it's vital that new growers suit the cooperative. If it's a good fit, they're more than welcome," Ruud concludes.
For more information:
Ruud den Boer
Oxin Growers
40D Handelscentrum ZHZ
2991 LD, Barendrecht, NL
Mob: +31 (0) 682 095 581
Email: Ruud@oxin-growers.nl
Website: www.oxin-growers.nl