"More demand for Flandria chicory in Germany"

The supply of chicory is one of the spearheads of the LAVA-Auction House and has been in the top five of supply and turnover for years. More than half of the turnover of the LAVA Auction House Coöbra comes from the sale of 'the white gold!' At Veiling REO, chicory is in the top three with 18.6 million kgs. in 2011. Traditionally February and March are the months with the largest supply of Flandria chicory. In March (weeks

9 - 13) Flandria producers supply 1,2 million kgs. each week.

"The freezing temperatures of the past weeks have increased demand" as per Jo Lambrecht, commercial director of Coöbra. “Prices at the auction have increased, but remain attractive for the consumer. In March there may be a slight decrease in the supply, but our chicory growers will continue to supply Flandria-top products."

Large product diversity

"In our country there is a real chicory culture and the consumer appreciates the good supply. Five, six references are normal for most department stores" as per Jo Lambrecht. "For us this is a challenge to guarantee this choice. Provided timely planning and good arrangements about price/volume we can certainly react to specific questions of the trade and also supply larger volumes."

Based on the applications planned by the customer the most suitable type of chicory based on calibre and weight is supplied. Hotels and restaurants prefer mini-chicory, available in small heads of 30, 40, 50 and 60 grs. Pre-cooked chicory is a ready-for-use product for hotels, restaurants, industrial kitchens and cafetaria's.

Coöbra offer this product of convenience in both mini and standard chicory. Coöbra

and the REO Auction House also supply Flandria chicory to cutting companies.

Larger demand in Germany

Coobra will start looking actively for markets abroad and surfs with the evolution in the market. In neighbouring Germany because of this chicory is also in the shops other than in the winter months. "The longer chicory season feeds the demand of the German consumer and his quality consciousness also increases" according to the commercial director of Coöbra. “In order to satisfy this extra market need German importers prefer the certainty of the Flandria quality. That creates perspectives to sell more Flandria on the German market. We also look at the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, big countries with lots of potential. It is important to continually convince foreign countries of the quality of Flandria chicory."

Source: Flandria Mail