In the Netherlands, it is almost time for the sweetcorn sowing season. "We're in the starting blocks," said Giel Hermans of Hermans Suikermais. "Unfortunately, the weather's not cooperating yet; it's too cold and wet. In 2023, we already had the first seedlings in the ground on March 26 and were extremely early with the harvest. I'm curious to see how it will go this year; after all, it remains agriculture."
A sowing combine waiting on sunnier skies.
"There's currently still plenty of good-quality corn from Senegal. That will continue until week 18," says Giel, "and then we'll switch to Morocco. Their cultivation is going well; however, the annual water issues remain a point of attention."
Corn in Morocco (left) and Spain (right).
"We visited our lots in Spain last week and were surprised by how good the weather was. And the good growing conditions, after the cold start with light frost earlier this month. Spain normally harvests as early as late May, but the harvest forecast points toward the second week of June. Fortunately, we kept going for a little longer in Morocco, so there are no gaps in the cultivation schedule," Giel concludes.
For more information:
Giel Hermans
Hermans Suikermais
1a Donk
5995 PL, Kessel, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 654 757 764
Email: giel@mielies.nl
Website: www.mielies.nl