In recent seasons, the area and volume of winter cauliflower has increased in Flanders, Belgium. “On Monday 17 April, we sold 4,700 boxes. More and more BelOrta growers focus on supplying cauliflower earlier, before the regular outdoor season starts. Producers then mostly want to supply winter cauliflower in the months of March and April. They are then competing with Spain and France. If it’s more difficult in those countries, people here can realise better prices,” says Guy Jennes form BelOrta.
Various types of cauliflower
He continues: “The winter cauliflowers are planted in autumn, and are on the field throughout the winter. It depends on the weather when they can be harvested, but it’s usually in April. Spring cauliflower on the other hand is planted late February, early March. That harvest starts early in May with the start of the actual outdoor season. Besides, we naturally have greenhouse cauliflower, both the larger and the smaller Primeurs, six of which can fit into a tomato crate. The smaller ones are very delicate. The greenhouse cauliflower is sold in Belgium until late April, early May.”
Top ten
“BelOrta’s total cauliflower area used to be larger. There was a considerable decline, but that has changed. We now see a rising line in production. Regarding sales, cauliflower is still in the top ten, so it’s definitely a product of meaning.” BelOrta regularly receives information from various market researchers. “That’s how we know cauliflower is eaten mostly by an older audience. In recent months we have noticed a change is coming for this product. Cauliflower is rapidly growing to be an alternative to other high-carbohydrate foods. This delicious cabbage can therefore be perfectly processed into, for example, a pizza bottom, couscous or even rice. It is currently very in, for instance, to serve half a roasted cauliflower. The product is also often eaten cold as a snack or appetiser in Belgium. And a true classic such as cauliflower with cheese sauce naturally never goes out of fashion.”For more information:
Guy Jennes
BelOrta
Mechelsesteenweg 120
B-2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
T +32 (0)15 56 52 94
F +32 (0)15 56 53 60
M +32 (0)478 24 73 09
guy.jennes@belorta.be
www.belorta.be