"Winter damages European leek cultivation badly"

"Now that the leek has defrosted, the damage done by the frost is becoming apparent", says Henry Rombouts of Hortagri Advice from Hoeven. "In West Germany and East Holland more of the crop than ever was covered by acrylics, foil or agrocover. What stands out here is that the protection didn't work as well everywhere as it did last year. Depending on, for instance the fertilization, the region, the type of protection and the stage of the leek there are even plots where the covered leek suffered almost as much as uncovered leek."

"In West-Brabant and Belgium not much was covered and the damage is considerable. In Great-Britain nothing was covered, but they've been harvesting for a week now", continues Henry. "Now the cooling cells are empty and people have to start harvesting again, the capacity in the barns will decrease. Growers will have to put in extra effort until March to supply a good final product."

For more information:
Henry Rombouts
Hortagri Advice int.
Zonnebloemlaan 8
4741ER Hoeven
www.hortagri.nl