“Trade is wronging Dutch radish growers”

This summer, the radish market isn’t anything to write home about. “It’s becoming a bit livelier now, but it’s just not enough,” says Piet Zwinkels of Zwin Brothers in Monster, the Netherlands. With his ‘Zwin’ brothers Kees, Gerard and André he grows and packs radish under the Bon Radish name. The family company grows 5.5 hectares of radish under glass in the Netherlands. During the winter period, part of production takes place abroad to guarantee continuity. “Prices remain at a minimum level. It should be much better. We grow a great product in the Netherlands, no one does it better.”

“I feel that certain chains in trade are wronging us. Much is expected of us, and we would like to fulfil those wishes, but we get too little (space) financially to be able to continue innovating and renewing sufficiently. That is worrying in the long term,” Piet continues. “Are consumers aware what happens behind the scenes to get the product onto tables safe and fresh? Are people willing to pay more in the interest of their own Dutch grower? It would definitely encourage growers!”

“Could it be the UK, that asks for radish because of weather problems, so that trade recovers somewhat? Other than that, everything muddles on with small contracts and weak day prices. In recent weeks, buyers would sometimes only show up when prices dropped below 50 cent per kilogram. That’s not enough perspective,” says Piet, who is keeping hope alive. “We have now had a few warm days, with a slight recovery in production, but that could change in a week. After all, we’ve had the longest day, and nights are getting colder. If it were not for hope, the heart would break!”