Growers of Brussels sprouts had plenty of reasons to complain in recent years, but the start of the current season is satisfactory. "From late August until September, prices have been good. We needed that, because we've been haunted by ill luck for years," says grower Leo Kleijwegt from Mijnsheerenland. He estimates that the annual 5% decline in the Brussels sprouts acreage in the Netherlands has continued this year as well.
"The cold weather is good for the crops and the consumption. We have good quality available, reasonable yields and also, the price dip we normally have in October isn't as steep as in other years," the sprout grower goes on to say. The price for B sprouts is around 45-50 cents, and the As are just below that, depending on the market supplied to. "The signs are now that buyers have sufficient supplies. If we all start harvesting slowly in the coming weeks, we can keep the prices on par."