"EU: "Cauliflower and broccoli very scarce"

The persistent cold is causing a shortage of various open ground vegetables. "There is mainly a shortage of iceberg lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli," says Jacco Gritter of Vitaal Europe Emmen, which is part of the British Nationwide Produce PLC. "Especially cauliflower and broccoli are very scarce and there are some supermarket deals with cauliflower, which is just making the situation worse. In a week or two there should be a bit more product."

The Vitaal team during Fruit Logistica: Jonny Boomsma, Ian Thornhill, Coos ter Mork, Scott Hullens and Jacco Gritter

At the start of 2009 Vitaal Europe was mainly focussed on the whole open ground package, but the traders from Emmen are handling greenhouse vegetables more and more. "We are mainly focussing on the Dutch package and cauliflower and broccoli is being imported from France and Spain at the moment. Dutch iceberg lettuce is available in very limited amounts, with prices between 8 and 9 Euro. The production still needs to get going. Next week more will be available."

In the Winter, leek is one of Vitaal Europe Emmen's most important products. All year round the main products are broccoli, cauliflower, iceberg lettuce and onions. "The leek season is coming to a close. Some growers have already stopped, other still have two weeks supply. There could be a gap in the leek supply at the end of this season," Jacco expects. "All in all it has been a strange leek season with hugely high prices up to no less than 3 Euro a kilo. We're looking back at a good season."

For more information:
Vitaal Europe Emmen
Boermarkeweg 50f
7824 AA Emmen
Tel: 0031 591 656440
emmen@vitaaleurope.com
www.vitaaleurope.com