Iceberg lettuce and kohlrabi were already being harvested in full in the Lower Rhine region in the first week of May. "This year, we had the problem that the Spanish season ended very late, while we started relatively early. As a result, there was a total overlap between the two seasons. In the first week of July, there were still some Spanish outdoor vegetables on the shelves of food retailers," says Heinz Stoffers, a vegetable grower based in Krefeld and member of Landfrisch AG.
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
Heinz Stoffers and his son Matthias grow a total of over 200 hectares of outdoor vegetables, primarily iceberg lettuce (approx. 75%) and kohlrabi. The lettuce harvest usually ends at the end of October, while kohlrabi is available until mid-November.
The yields and quality of his outdoor vegetables have been consistently satisfactory so far. "In terms of marketing, however, we are seeing increased consumer reluctance. Compared to the multi-year average, current sales are down by up to 20%. Last year, on the other hand, we had a very successful start to the season, as Spain was no longer on the market, and we therefore found a particularly receptive market. This year, too, we have been able to sell all our iceberg lettuce and kohlrabi so far, but the pressure on the market is very high, which is also reflected in the producer price." Stoffers confirms that the current prices are inadequate, especially for iceberg lettuce.
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
View of the sorting and storage hall, which went into operation in 2021 and is equipped with an ammonia refrigeration system and photovoltaics, among other things. Due to the vacuum cooling, the facility has high electricity requirements, but half of this is covered by PV, according to Stoffers.
Pest control is becoming more problematic
According to Stoffers, pest control is one of the ever-present challenges of vegetable cultivation. "We already lack many plant protection products across the board, and next year some products such as Movento and Mospilan will be discontinued. I am particularly critical of the future of lice control; emergency approvals are only of limited help here. In lettuce cultivation in particular, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep crops pest-free. After the thunderstorm a few weeks ago, we also had a few complaints about winged aphids, which would have been acceptable 20-30 years ago and are completely harmless to consumers. This raises the question whether we want to destroy the entire crop or simply accept that this is part of life. In my opinion, the current approach has gone way too far."
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
In addition to the two main crops, cucumbers and romaine lettuce are also grown. The cucumbers are harvested in an unheated greenhouse (0.6 ha) from the end of May to mid-August.
Automation of iceberg lettuce harvesting
Recently, a machine with integrated packaging and labeling technology (pictured below) has been introduced for harvesting lettuce, the vegetable producer continues. "This machine significantly accelerates the harvesting process while saving on personnel and associated labor costs. At the same time, it should not be forgotten that we also need employees who can operate such machines in practice and who are paid significantly more than the minimum wage. It is precisely this factor that is often overlooked in the debate surrounding the minimum wage increase: this price spiral continues as the wages of foremen are also driven up."
© Stoffers Gemüsebau
For more information:
Heinz Stoffers
Stoffers Gemüsebau
Flünnertzdyk 215
D-47802 Krefeld
Tel: (+49) 2151 561097
[email protected]
www.stoffers-gemuesebau.de
