Van de Watering, a Dutch company in Breda, has started importing French lettuce from subsidiary La Cabanne du Soleil in Raphele les Arphes, where its own produce is cultivated.
"Conditions are just better in France," states John Kuper. "Right now the market is tight, as Spanish, Italian and Dutch lettuce is also available."
The biggest sales of lettuce aren't during the Holidays, claims John, but in the first two months of the year. During this time domestic supply is low and the market is open to supply from the regions in France.
"I expect customers to shift to our foreign produce within the next two weeks. Demands are up already and we're positive about the prospects."
Van de Watering has turned to French produce to sustain supplies, a choice based on quality, but also on costs control.
La Cabanne de Soleil grows green oakleaf, lollo rosso and lollo biondo. The largest share is sold in Germany, but the Russian market is getting increasingly important.