"Netherlands: "Cauliflower season has seen peaks and troughs"

For the past few days the weather has been fine again and this has a positive effect on the cauliflower production. "We have for about a month had little production due to the weather, but in the last few days there have been more volumes on the market. This year was different than last season. There was much talk of peaks and troughs in production. Last year there was definately more stability." This is according to cauliflower grower Jos Stevens, Flanders who has an area of about 13 hectares. He delivers his production to the Mechelse Veilingen.

"In recent years the average prices have been too low for the growers," he notes. "In the past weeks, this was between 80 cents and 1.30 and these are nice prizes. But now it's back down to 70 cents. Some growers can not continue. The work is very labour intensive and the costs are high. This is not considered by retailers. Additionally, there is no improvement seen in the prices on year basis, while the total supply at the auctions has been reduced. In recent years, supply has decreased. Consumers are eating differently and there is also more imported from abroad. "

The expectation is that there will be cauliflowers until December (weather permitting). "We're running a little behind. In October there was little supply, normally the most growers stop at the end of the month. These growers are are supplying for longer longer. Supply has been extended by a month. It is not clear whether prices will rise. The possibility is there, but we are all dependent on the weather and offers in the supermarkets. There is now more supply, so that is negative for the price," he concludes.

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Jos Stevens