"Netherlands: "Moderate supply result in good demand and prices for iceberg lettuce"

A difficult growing season with a lot of rain and a very warm week has caused a moderate supply of iceberg lettuce. "It's actually been slightly strange weather everywhere, but it has been good for the price level," says Kees van den Bosch of Freeland from Emmen. "The quality isn't that great everywhere, but the moderate supply means a good demand. And that demand is very wide at the moment, from Spain to Russia and from Italy to Sweden."

The price of iceberg lettuce is at a level of around 5 Euro at the moment. "That's double that of last year," continues the open ground vegetable trader. "The supply is all coming from the covered cultivation at the moment. I expect the price level to remain the same for at least the next two weeks. There is more demand that what gets cut."

Just like in the past few years Freeland is packaging the iceberg lettuce with Peakfresh packaging again. The Peakfresh technique uses minerals, which are added to the plastic packaging. These minerals can adapt to the product in the packaging. This lengthens the shelf-life by at least 100%. "Buyers from last year all want the Peakfresh-packaging again. It also makes it possible to export to far away destinations. The longer shelf life makes it possible to transport the lettuce by a less expensive means, for instance by sea. This means a considerable cost reduction and is also environmentally friendly," concludes Kees.

For more information:
Kees van den Bosch
Freeland
The Netherlands
www.freeland.nl