Dutch organic farmers hit by lower export
Quite a few Dutch growers of organic potatoes, onions and vegetables have seen lower sales compared to last year. And not only growers but also some Dutch organic trading companies have been affected by sluggish sales
What has caused this is not an easy question to answer. Sales figures from packers and wholesalers in other European countries show increased sales for most organic products somewhere between 15 – 35% compared to last year. Notable exception are organic potatoes which have seen a drop in sales of somewhere between 25 – 35% according to some German and Danish packers. So the conclusion could be that there is more home-grown product available in the countries on which Dutch growers normally rely for export.
The weather could also be partly to blame. The sluggish sales which some Dutch growers are experiencing applies to products like red and white cabbage, squash (pumpkins), celariac and swede. Typically products that do well when it’s cold.