When it comes to radishes, no two years are the same. "This year's going exceptionally well. Last year's winter sales were tough, leaving surpluses in January. This year's situation is totally different, and we demand exceeded supply all winter, resulting in above-average prices," says John Grootscholten of Dailyfresh Radish in the Netherlands.
"Last year, large volumes left in March, too, but after January and February's difficult sales, it was hard to get sales and prices in March. This spring season is starting very differently. Last month, productions were high - we caught up well - and the radishes sold for good prices. Costs are rising on all sides, whether it's labor, energy, fertilizer, or packaging, and then it's nice when that increases on the marketing side too."
"There was plenty of growth from week ten to 12, and we had to keep harvesting. That growth slowed in week 13, though," explains John. It has been dark and cold for a while, so growth has stagnated. "We're not harvesting the volumes of the last few weeks. That's a shame because, especially in the run-up to Easter, many customers expect you to have extra volume available."
"Easter always guarantees good demand. We cultivate the whole package of red, white radish, white tip, mixed colors in a bunch, and icicle radishes. Particularly the white tip or mixed radish demand increases towards the holidays. Those are true celebration items," John continues.
According to him, every year recently, the sales ratio has shifted by a few percent from bunches to loose radish. "Supermarkets never used to carry loose radishes before; now, they're on the shelf next to the bunches."
Daily Fresh Radish supplies most of its radishes via Dutch exporters. "German clients are currently taking the most. They don't yet have open-field radishes and usually drop out in the summer because they have their own product. Then other buyers like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scandinavia take over. That demand will come because many people still consider radishes - even though we have them available year-round every day - a spring product," John concludes.
For more information:
Daily Fresh Radish
25 Hoge Geest
2671 LK, Naaldwijk, NL
Mob.: +31 (0) 651 592 838
Email: John@dailyfreshradish.nl
www.dailyfreshradish.nl