Demand is growing for radicchio but also its sister products–Treviso and Castelfranco. "Purchasing volumes are better as is supply–it's nice when that works out," says Marc Marchini of J. Marchini Farms.
© J. Marchini Farms
The good volumes follow what Marchini says is the best growing weather it's ever had for this time of year. Following planting in August, growing conditions have been very good and in turn, the crops are showing it. "We're getting very very good yields and the quality is excellent. We've been shipping really good numbers and we've got extra," he says.
As for demand, which is expected to pick up for the holiday season, generally it's been increasing on all three items. "We're seeing about 10 percent growth on all three items," says Marchini, which he says is encouraging given that in the past, demand had been softer following challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of that demand growth could be the growth in salads that the fresh-cut industry has been introducing and promoting which are using radicchio for its color and health benefits. In foodservice, more restaurants are also including it in their salad offerings for the same reasons.
Winter supply
At the same time, demand is also increasing for other radicchio items such as Treviso–an elongated radicchio–and Castelfranco, which is a speckled white radicchio. "In the summer, typically demand is a little slower on those items but it's been tremendously strong. Now going into our winter storage period, we can supply bigger quantities because of the way our supply is oriented. We harvest in bulk at this time of the year and repack," says Marchini.
© J. Marchini Farms
Looking ahead, the company is hopeful for a continued good winter season with strong volumes and really good quality to carry it into its Mexico program in mid-February.
As for pricing, which tends to stay steady and not fluctuate much, it is similar, if not slightly stronger than this time last year. Last year saw some oversupply of product which lowered industry pricing.
For more information:
Marc Marchini
J. Marchini Farms
Tel: +1 (559) 665-2944
[email protected]
https://jmarchinifarms.com/
