Although the chicory market was difficult for long periods in past years, in recent weeks there has been a shortage of chicory in the trade. "There is more demand than we can meet. As far as prices are concerned this is a good thing, although we would like to be able to supply all our customers," says saleswoman Kristha Heibrink of LOF Growers from Espel.
The chicory price has been at a level of around 1.10 and 1.20 Euro for a number of weeks. "In Belgium the price was around 1.30 Euro for weeks, but it turned out to be difficult to realise in the Netherlands," says Kristha. She says the demand from the domestic market is at a general level, but there is mainly extra demand from foreign sales destinations that LOF Growers supplies through exporters. "The supply of other garden crops like lettuce and spinach has been problematic for weeks too. Chicory is a good alternative to these vegetables."
Kristha expects the shortage of chicory and radicchio to last for a while. "There was already a shortage of radicchio due to disappointing seed harvests in recent years. The chicory root harvest will also be lower this year. The growing season for the roots didn't go well due to the cold, then the sun and the drought and now the wet conditions. We will have to wait and see how the roots come off the field and how the quality is in the nursery, but the root yield is certainly lower."
For more information:
Witlofkwekerij LOF
Pilotenweg 28/1
8311 PL Espel
Tel. +31 (0)527 271 375
Fax. +31 (0)527 271 032
info@witlofkwekerijlof.nl
www.witlofkwekerijlof.nl