Dutch growers association Fossa Eugenia holds a firm position in the winter vegetable world. They offer a wide range of products, including carrots, leeks, celeriac, chicory, and various types of cabbage. Thanks to new growers, their organic assortment is also growing, particularly in organic leeks and Chinese cabbage. Robert van Ringelestein, category manager at Fossa Eugenia, emphasizes the benefits of the organization's short lines, allowing products to reach customers quickly and freshly. "Almost every product is harvested daily, so clients can collect their order the same day," he begins.
The partnership between Fossa grower René Baetsen of Groentebedrijf Baetsen and In 't Zandt Agro exemplifies the efficient collaboration within Fossa Eugenia. Both companies grow carrots on sandy soil, giving them unique traits. They jointly offer their produce on the Versepeen.nl website. "Our carrots are sweeter and more flavorful than those from clay soils, and we can harvest fresh daily," says René. That makes their product especially popular in the German market, where buyers value 'frisch und knackig'.
Skinnier carrots are in high demand, but René mainly focuses on the larger ones that sell well at wholesalers and greengrocers. The German market accounts for 80% of Groentebedrijf Baetsen's sales. René also farms in Germany to meet the demand for local products in the summer. The growing down-trading phenomenon - consumers want more affordable vegetables - has led to increased carrot consumption and acreage expansion at Baetsen. However, sales remain leading, and expansion is slow, partly due to limited land availability.
This year's cultivation conditions are better than last year's when rain made work tricky. Baetsen is satisfied with the current crop despite price pressures due to the abundant harvest. He adds that increased exports to Eastern Europe could stabilize prices in the future. René sees advantages in the changing climate, like warmer winters extending cultivation seasons. Heavy rains, though, bring challenges. Regardless, he remains optimistic: "Four good years make up for one bad harvest."
Fossa Eugenia exclusively markets its own growers' products. Imports from southern Europe are therefore not an option. There is interest in organic carrots, although growing these on sandy soil is difficult. Still, there is a rising demand for organic vegetables, and Fossa Eugenia recently introduced a harvest calendar that informs customers of the availability of organic produce throughout the year.
The market for colored carrots, like purple and yellow, is steadily growing. "There's increasing demand for color on the plate, and chefs consider these exclusive but affordable products," Robert concludes. The challenge, however, remains getting colored carrots on the shelf year-round. For celeriac, a product also grown by Baetsen, it is harder to differentiate.
Fossa Eugenia
Tel: +31 (0)883 210 222
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