The low prices paid for locally produced vegetables is the biggest challenge for a Norwegian producer. This is despite the limited soil available and harsh weather impacting vegetable production in Norway, says Finn-Erling Kristoffersen, from the farm Vestre Bjolsund, based in Rygge, Norway.
Some of the produce grown on Kristoffersen's farm.
“We grow for the Norwegian market, because Norway has a limited amount of arable land available to grow veggies, and potatoes. The winter season in Norway the aim for my production is that we deliver a big amount of our onions from cold storage, since we`re not allowed to use anti-growth in our country, we have to store our onions on -0.5 C so the quality stays fresh. Root veggies is also a big demand in the winter. The week before Fruit Logistica we delivered all our red beetroot to the processing factory, which is 2 km from the farm,” explains Kristoffersen.
He grows a variety of vegetables on the farm. “On our farm we grow potatoes, onions, beetroot, pumpkins, and parsnips on a total of 40 hectares. We start our planting season early April, with planting parsnips, and continue with the potatoes, and onions. We plant potatoes from mid-April until the first week of June. We grow the type Colomba that we use for the consumption market, and for industry pealing. For the onions we grow red and yellow type. We also grow pumpkins for Halloween, the Hokkaido variety. We are now also trying butternut squash in our test plot. For beetroot, we grow yellow beets, and red cylindrical.”
Kristoffersen remains positive that he can help feed his nation despite a country known for their often harsh winter weather. “I aim for a good future for the farm with good produce and a healthy economy. And of course, I look for market opportunities in Norway. Our biggest challenge is to get paid a decent price for our produce - and the weather of course.”
For more information:
Finn-Erling Kristoffersen
Vestre Bjolsund
Tel: +47 474 86 625
Email: [email protected]