A few months after Dutch organic propagator Jongerius abruptly stopped deliveries, the European market for organic young plants seems to have somewhat stabilized. The shortfall was made up by other suppliers, including the Willich-based company Wunderlich (Germany). "We are enjoying a good order situation, both for outdoor and greenhouse vegetables," reports Alexander Wunderlich on request. "We are currently working at full capacity, but from May/June and for the second half of the season we would still have free capacity, for example for second-crop cucumbers or lettuces."
© Wunderlich Jungpflanzen
© Wunderlich Jungpflanzen
As a member of the Naturland association, the company produces a wide range of young plants. At its location on the outskirts of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region in the Düsseldorf-Mönchengladbach-Krefeld triangle, it has around five hectares of greenhouse space. "Our new facility (approx. 2 hectares) is already fully operational, mainly due to high demand in the Netherlands. We have already gained many good customers, so we have delivered around a quarter more plant material than in the same period last year."
© Wunderlich Jungpflanzen
Temperature rise compensates for harsh winter
As in many other segments of commercial horticulture, the long, relatively harsh winter also posed certain challenges for young plant production. "Fortunately, we were able to counteract this with our additional heating and LED lighting during the cold, low-light months of January and February. Spring arrived abruptly at the beginning of March, and with 11-12 hours of sunshine a day, our plants are catching up quickly in terms of growth." Meanwhile, prices for young plants are roughly at the same level as last year. "Apart from the 2-3 percent inflation rate, we have been able to stabilize our prices. At the beginning of the season, planting material is usually offered at slightly higher prices, after which normal conditions return from March onwards."
© Wunderlich Jungpflanzen
Snack vegetables and unusual tomato varieties on the rise
Daniel continues by explaining that the Wunderlich company has found a good, stable market niche with organic young plants. Interesting trends can also be observed within the organic vegetable sector. "Organic fennel is currently gaining in importance, as are snack vegetables such as mini cucumbers and tomatoes. Furthermore, we have seen a growing demand for unusual tomato varieties such as oxheart and striped plum cherry tomatoes for several years now. Last but not least, our Naturland potted herbs are also enjoying increasing popularity. We still have vacant building land and a permit so that we could expand our capacity again in the coming years if necessary," he concludes.
For more information:
Wunderlich Bio-Jungpflanzen
Owner Daniel Wunderlich
Beckershöfe 11 b
47877 Willich
Jochen Bourquin
Tel: +49 (0) 171 651 07 96
[email protected]
http://www.jungpflanzenbetrieb.de/
http://www.bio-jungpflanzen.com/ 
"for gardening at home"
Office NL:
Tel: +31 (0)6 117 692 45
http://www.biowonderplant.nl/
