On the Lynders farm in Niederkrüchten in the Lower Rhine region, the first early cabbages of this year's season were harvested a few days ago. "This is a first very early batch, because normally, the early white cabbages would not be ready for harvest until the beginning of July. We also don't really know yet where to sell the early produce," marvels Hermann-Josef Lynders. He sells his produce mainly on the open market, supplying processing companies, wholesale markets and cooperatives.
According to the co-owner, however, marketing should not pose too many problems, since high-quality cabbages are desperately sought after at this time of year and marketed at correspondingly high prices. "We also still have some red and white cabbage in stock from last year's harvest. The switch to the new cabbage harvest in July should work out, only red cabbages could still become scarce. It has to be said, however, that demand for red cabbage is relatively manageable compared with white cabbage at this stage of the season," says Lynders, who will also harvest the first pointed cabbage next week.
White cabbage being harvested.
Reducing early potato production
The main products of the Lower Rhine farm include early potatoes, colored lettuces and iceberg lettuces. Lynders: "The first batches had a hard time due to excess rain, which in turn led to an increase in diseases and smaller heads. That has since recovered: So all in all, the lettuce harvest has started quite well and we have received many inquiries from different markets. It also helps that we are not affiliated with a cooperative and can also deliver the produce ourselves."
Early potato production has been reduced by about half compared to last year, Lynders continues.
The early potato harvest at the Lynders farm started in mid-May.
Product variety and proprietary energy supply
Product diversity and a broad customer structure will remain a fundamental part of the company's strategy in the coming years, Lynders assures. "We don't want to expand our product range so much as optimize it and invest more in mechanical processes. This includes solar technology: we already have photovoltaic systems, but we want to gradually expand this and thus increase our energy supply."
Images: Lynders GbR.
For more information:
Hermann-Josef Lynders
Hans-Wilhelm Lynders & Söhne GbR
Dilborner Straße 56
41372 Niederkrüchten
Tel/: 02163-82952
Fax: 02163-898446
Email: info@lynders.nrw
https://www.instagram.com/lynders.nrw/