Kale has been growing in popularity very quickly in central and northern Europe this year. It is a variety of cabbage with frizzy green leaves that is starting to become common in the fields of Murcia, as this is one of the few areas in Europe where it can be grown in the winter months, when it is most consumed.
"We've been producing green kale for a few years, although this campaign has been the one when demand for it has skyrocketed," explains Ian Claydon, of the commercial department of the Murcian company Kernel Export. "The winter months are the most important in terms of consumption volumes for this vegetable, which is increasingly considered a superfood because of its great nutritional properties, especially because of its richness in vitamins and calcium."
The Netherlands is an important market for kale, since it is part of its culinary tradition. Moreover, the number of orders for the product from the UK, Germany and the Scandinavian countries is on the rise, as they learn new culinary uses for it. "It is starting to be used on salads, fruit smoothies, baked dishes, etc." he states.
"This campaign, we have launched a new line of green, red and black Cavolo kale, both conventional and organic."
Very difficult cauliflower campaign
As has been the case for almost all leafy greens, the cauliflower market has been very difficult this year, according to Ian Claydon.
"France and the UK had oversupply and in Spain the campaign arrived earlier, also with larger volumes than last season. This has exerted great pressure on prices. We do not remember such a tough year in this sense."
