"Chicory prices very low: demand reasonable"

"The New Year didn't start very spectacularly for the chicory market", says Nicolas Stevens of Belgian company Herwi. "The product prices are around 50 cents at the moment and this has been the case since last week. It was quieter than expected during the holidays and so the planning didn't quite work out and some got stuck in the market, which made the prices decrease." Despite the low chicory prices the trader thinks the demand is reasonable. "We are selling good numbers."

According to Stevens the market situation will improve when the weather becomes wintery. "We needs a good frost period and not just for chicory. Vegetables like leek and sprouts need it too. In our destination countries we could use some colder weather too, to improve the demand and prices."

The most important buyers for Herwi are in Belgium, the US, Switzerland and Italy. Nicolas indicates that America is a much more stable market than Europe. "They're under the influence of other factors there. Local growers often have climate restrictions and we have less competition in export."

Nicolas Stevens
Herwi
Leuvensesteenweg 22 B3
B-1910 Kampenhout
België
T +32 16 65 15 61
F +32 16 65 16 01
Website