At the Ruff-Häring family of gardeners in the heart of Nuremberg's garlic country, this year's radish and red radish harvest has been in full swing for several weeks. "The greenhouse radish is now replaced by the first foil house goods. We started the radish harvest with a slight delay, but overall the start of the season was quite pleasing," Stefanie Häring sums up.
Prices, meanwhile, are roughly at the previous year's level, as the general price increase could not be implemented, adds the market gardener.
Part of the yield is marketed via the company's own stand at the Nuremberg wholesale market.
"The first tunnel red radishes were harvested at the end of March, and now the company is starting to harvest them in the open field bit by bit," Häring continues. "We produced red radishes in the greenhouse throughout the winter for the first time this year. In previous years, the focus in winter was on lettuce in addition to lamb's lettuce, but the latter crop is increasingly in direct competition with hydro salads. Another advantage is that radish cultivation involves comparatively lower heating costs, which is why we were able to offer our winter red radishes at affordable prices. Overall, the product has established itself amazingly well in both food retail and wholesale."
Instead of lettuce, the Ruff-Häring family's greenhouse area was largely planted with winter red radishes. The decision has clearly paid off, according to the company.
The persistent cold weather at the start of the outdoor harvest was more of a blessing than a curse for red radish cultivation, she said. "Due to the weather, there is hardly any volume and price pressure at the moment, which is rather advantageous for us - also in view of the increased production costs. Imported goods, as well as goods from the Palatinate, are only offered sporadically at the local wholesale market at the current time," Häring points out the exceptional marketing situation.
Insight into the red radish glasshouse: Ruff-Häring GbR is one of a few German companies that produce winter red radishes.
Pictures: Ruff-Häring GbR Vegetable Farming
For more information:
Stefanie Häring
Ruff-Häring GbR Gemüsebau
Loher Hauptstraße 116
90427 Nürnberg
Tel.: +49 911 345355
info@ruff-haering.de
www.ruff-haering.de