The new year has started particularly well for Dithmarschen cabbage producers. "There are countless inquiries from Eastern Europe, whether Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary or Serbia, and exports to Scandinavia are also continuing at a normal level," as Dirk Johannßen from Kohl Direkt tells us. "Demand in Eastern Europe intensified right after the turn of the year," he continues. "That's unusually early because normally, we don't see increased demand for exports until March/April after our own stocks have been mostly used up. It can therefore be assumed that yields in the countries mentioned were somewhat lower, which in turn is due to the challenging climatic conditions in large parts of Europe."
Storage quality is an unknown
The red and white cabbage growers in Dithmarschen also look back on a difficult growing year. "The waterlogging in the fields presented us with major challenges, although we were able to start harvesting the storage cabbage at the beginning of October, only slightly late," confirms Johannßen. In the end, some parcels had a yield loss of up to 10-15 per cent, which was still acceptable compared to other growing regions in Germany and Europe. However, both white and red cabbage had a relatively high proportion of smaller heads, it was reported.
The first cold store produce is already hitting the market. Says Johannßen: "We also expect to start with cold store produce in February or March, which is at least one to two months earlier than usual. The big unknown currently is how the produce will last in the cold stores. This will also be the decisive factor in this year's season." The first signs are not particularly promising: the first losses in the Dithmarschen cold stores have already been recorded.
Dirk Johannßen is a cabbage grower based in Dithmarschen, the largest connected cabbage-growing area in Germany. Together with a few colleagues, he offers his red and white cabbage via the online platform Kohl Direkt.
Another price increase
All in all, it has been a difficult year for all European storage cabbage growing areas, emphasizes Johannßen. "Due to the climatic conditions, especially the wet weather, and the resulting diseases, there have been varying harvest losses." Nevertheless, he is relatively confident about the second half of the season. "In calendar week 3, we were able to achieve a further price increase of 0.05 EUR/kg and are now at a fairly high price level of 0.40-0.45 EUR/kg for both products," he concludes.
Photo credit: Hof Johannßen / Kohl Direkt
For more information:
Dirk Johannßen
Hof Johannßen / Kohl Direkt
Neufelderkoog 2
25724 Neufelderkoog
Tel: +49 1511 2128400
[email protected]
www.kohl-direkt.de