"EU: "Overall demand is lacking on cabbage market"

The sales of red and white cabbage are still difficult. "Last week there was a little more demand for the smaller sizes of 1.5 to 2 kilos, but not much else", says a Dutch trader. "At the moment the overall demand is at a low level. There are some shipments going to countries like the Czech Republic, the UK and Spain, but mainly the demand from the East Block is missed."

The growers price for the large sizes of white cabbage are around 5/6 cents and for the red cabbage around 11/12 cents. "Much too low. If we want improvement in the market, there will have to be demand first, and that's not happening.", says the cabbage trader. "The frost started a lot later in other parts of Europe as well. So it's a question of how it will keep. Now we still have good supplies, but compared to the rest of Europe we're a relatively small player."

"The supply from the growers is limited for now. The storage season is until July and it's possible on this price level. If the costs for the growers are to be covered, the product would have to yield around 0.20/kg", concludes Thomas.