On the outdoor grown vegetable market there is currently a difference between the imported product and the Dutch product, says Kees van den Bosch from the outdoor vegetable company Freeland. "Due to the warm weather a great deal of product has come in from Spain. Here it was cold enough that there was not much demand. This resulted in low prices for iceberg lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli."
The Dutch outdoor grown vegetable market is doing well, "Onions, carrots and cabbage all have good prices. Leeks and celery are also selling well. In that sense we are not complaining. Countries in Central Europe like Poland, Czech Republic, Austria and the Balkans are doing their part," continues Kees. "In the fall, large volumes were going out because of expected shortages elsewhere, and that demand has remained. However, the quality of the onions is a concern. The question is whether we can continue supplying our destinations in the coming months."
Kees is hopeful about the import product as well, "The production in Spain was much too large, which means a shortage will happen soon as well. But we will have to wait and see how it plays out. The Spanish production is still much too large for the market. The reason for this is probably somewhere between too much production and too little demand."
Freeland will be at Fruit Logistica this year, "This year we will be in the Holland hall (3.2 - C22), and not in our usual spot," says Kees.
