Brothers Jan and Ronald Herbert have been active in the sprout cultivation since 1984. After starting independently in Waddinxveen in 1997, the company moved to Zeewolde in 2001. The company has grown to the current size: Annually, 200 hectares of sprouts are grown, 40 hectares of cauliflower and 5 hectares of kale. There are 1 to 22 employees working at the company, depending on the season, besides the brothers and their wives.
"After the bad sprout prices at the beginning of the season, the prices are a lot better. The frost predictions benefit the price level", indicates Lucia Herbert. The price level is between 30 and 32 cents at the moment. "That's barely the purchase price and we still have to fill the hole left by the first months of the season. If these prices hold up for the rest of the season, we will be dissatisfied. Even if the prices go up to 40/45 cents, it won't fix the season."
According to Lucia some sprout growers are finished picking already, and some are taking it easy. "We've not picking them too fast either, there's no point, it will just make the prices drop again", she says. Lucia says the quality of the sprouts is good. "But whether this will change, depends on the weather. So this is going to be an exciting month."
The Herbert firm also has the extra mild sprout. "We also supply B-sprouts in strawberry boxes to Gijs. The Dutch consumer only really knows the A and D sprouts. B's can be cleaned a lot quicker and are nice and easy for in hotchpot" (vegetable stew), concludes Lucia.
For more information:
Lucia Herbert
R. en J. Herbert v.o.f.
Nekkeveldweg 42
3896 LZ Zeewolde
Tel: 036 - 5228296 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 036 - 5228296 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 036 - 5312457
[email protected]
Lucia Herbert
R. en J. Herbert v.o.f.
Nekkeveldweg 42
3896 LZ Zeewolde
Tel: 036 - 5228296 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 036 - 5228296 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 036 - 5312457
[email protected]