Even in the far north of Germany, this year's cabbage harvest is underway. "Cauliflower, broccoli, red and white cabbage are already being harvested: Starting next week, savoy cabbage will be added to these, after which we will be able to supply the complete range from the new harvest," says Hannes Nagel, Managing Director of Nagel Gemüseversand, based in the heart of the northern Dithmarschen growing region.
The current heat wave has probably delayed the course of the season a little: "Above 25 degrees, cabbage generally grows more slowly; above 30 degrees, the growth of the crops is sometimes stopped completely." In view of slightly dropping temperatures, large quantities are expected now. "We expect to harvest particularly large volumes of cauliflower by the end of the week."
Good market for cauliflower and broccoli
Cauliflower prices are generally high and stable, broccoli prices are within the usual range, but these aren't matched by the current low harvest quota (due to the drought). This means Nagel expects a good demand for broccoli. On the other hand, according to Nagel, the situation regarding red and white cabbages is absolutely dreadful. "Immediately after the Corona outbreak, the market saw an extremely high demand. From mid-April onwards, the situation turned completely around, which is why the stocks have piled up." This situation continues to affect prices today: The producer prices for bagged goods are at around €10 per 100 kg. Goods sold in crates (6 heads or 15 kg) fluctuate around €15 per 100kg, whereby even at these prices there remains a supply surplus.
Summer cabbage is still a manageable sales area compared to stocked cabbage in winter. "At the beginning of the season, many wholesale customers still use stock cabbage instead of new products, due to these being firmer and larger. From August onwards, a switch to the new harvest is inevitable, although stocked goods are still available. However, the prices for the new harvest will follow from the old one."
Steady expansion of the cultivation capacity
The Nagel family business is a growing vegetable growing and trading company in Friedrichskoog and has its own packaging and storage capacity and logistics. "In late September we will start the storage season, and starting at the turn of the year we will also be able to serve customers abroad -mainly Scandinavia and Eastern Europe- accordingly," Nagel says.
In the run-up to the new season, the company has invested generously in packaging, harvesting and cultivation technology. Cultivation capacity has also increased considerably over the past two years. "In 2018 we had a total of 65 hectares of vegetable cultivation area; last year we had 95 hectares. This year we will cultivate around 130 ha of vegetables, including 60 ha of cauliflower & broccoli and 45 ha of white cabbage."
