The first half of the year was rough on the European chicory market. "Many growers had too many roots and high costs, so they took a big hit. Now, fortunately, things are somewhat better. There's less production per square meter, but prices have climbed to well over a euro per kilo. Those will, however, have to rise further for us Dutch growers to keep going," warns Dennis Blankendaal of Frysk Witlof.
"Everything is more expensive. Energy has been especially problematic recently. Luckily those prices are dropping slightly, but things are still tense."
"After all, electricity's not the only issue; roots, labor, and packaging costs have risen sharply too. In that sense, it's been a tough year," says Dennis.
"Fortunately, sales to Dutch supermarkets are stable, and exports to particularly, Italy, are also picking up." The roots are of good quality, according to the grower. "They're not too big," Dennis explains, "they're just right. In January, we'll lift samples from all the lots; then, we'll know more."
Every year, Frysk Witlof lifts 250 to 280 hectares of Dutch and Belgian chicory, making it the largest chicory company in the Netherlands. It has access to modern processing lines, so during peak times, it can handle a capacity of 170 tons a week. The company began renewing and further automating its harvesting lines in late January.
"That was quite an operation. Automation involves a lot more than putting up a few lifting cells. It was quite a job to make everything fit together. Now it's starting to look like something, But we're far from done; this is just the beginning," Dennis concludes.
For more information:
Dennis Blankendaal
Frysk-Witlof B.V.
12 Frjentsjerterdyk
8855 XC, Sexbierum, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 517 592 772
Mob: +31 (0) 683 986 424
Email: Dennis@frysk-witlof.nl
Website: www.frysk-witlof.nl