"The demand for cabbage is not bad. Prices are not bad either, but the supply is slightly larger than we had hoped," says Richard Kruijer, from the mediation agency Tuindersbelang in Warmenhuizen, which manages the sales of about sixty cabbage growers.
"White cabbage prices start at 29 cents (including the crate), while red cabbage is sold for no less than 38 cents. I do not expect much change in the coming weeks. Often, the size of the European stocks becomes clearer at Berlin's trade fair."
He estimates that Europe has less cabbage available. "We are currently exporting most of the cabbage to Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, and Spain. The impact of the strikes seems to be limited so far. Surprisingly, cabbage is currently more expensive in Germany than it is here, when theirs is usually cheaper. But well, that could quickly change again."
"The situation of Poland's cabbage is now comparable to ours. The big question is when the export to Eastern Europe will get going, although last year they also arrived quite late. Back then, we saw prices go through the roof after a cold spring and warm summer. Fortunately, the quality now is pretty good and the lesser batches are quickly discarded."
For more information:
Richard Kruijer
Tuindersbelang
Dergmeerweg 3
1749 VA Warmenhuizen, the Netherlands
+31 (0)226 391 000
tuindersbelang@hetnet.nl
www.tuindersbelang.nl