"Two months left to clear out celeriac tubers"

"We only have two months left in which to clear out our celeriac stocks", says Robert den Ouden of the Dutch company, Rodeno Agri Products. "That is going to be quite a job. There is still quite a lot of stock." Robert expects to be able to supply their new harvest by the last week of July. "The Netherlands has one of the earliest crops of celeriac. Spain has practically stopped growing it. There is, in that respect, no competition on the market."

Robert with the newly-bought celeriac fresh market drum. "Especially for our clients who want as-clean-as-possible pre-washed celeriac. In this way, they can save on transport and washing costs."

Celeriac is not very popular on the market. "It is exported to various countries. Most of the product goes to Romania and Poland. Compared to last year, however, there is a lot less demand", says Robert. The hype in the Dutch gastronomic world has had no influence on the market. That depends on demand from Eastern Europe. There, celeriac is just about as popular as cucumbers are in the Netherlands. "More than 95% of our celeriac is destined for the export market. For a long time, large sizes were available on the market. These are less popular with retailers. The current sizes are a bit better. There are still enough smaller tubers of about one kg available. Sales of the larger sizes remain difficult."

The new celeriac being planted. These will come to market in the last week of July

Price forming has been erratic and is displaying a downward trend. "The industry has stopped with their promotions. The tubers are, therefore, being sold on the fresh market. Growers with good quality products of the correct size can still get a reasonable price. The quality of celeriac grubbed in November and December is deteriorating. You cannot wait any longer to sell. This also puts pressure on the price. Last week we charged between EUR0,08 and EUR0,15 for the right quality and size."

These are the 2017 season's bulbs that Rodeno is currently supplying

For more information

Rodeno Agri Products
Robert den Ouden
47 Oude Rijksweg
4472 AE 's-Heer-Hendrikskinderen
T: +31(0) 653 190 100
info@rodeno.nl
www.rodeno.nl