Fleuron d’Anjou continues its squash season, which started in September. The first harvests took place at the end of August and consumption should reach its peak in November.
“The squash is a very popular vegetable when it is cold outside. Early in the campaign, the weather was not favorable for sales but now that the days are getting shorter and colder, consumption is picking up,” explains Brahim El Hasnaoui, sales manager at Fleuron d’Anjou. Each year, the cooperative produces nearly 1,000 tons of pumpkin and butternut squash. The Jack Be Little, pattypan and sweet dumpling squash complete the range in smaller quantities.
© Fleuron d'Anjou
The squash: a trendy product
The consumption of squash continues to grow, year after year. “For some time now, there has been a craze for squash among consumers. Much like root vegetables, they are coming back in fashion and fit in the trend to consume local and seasonal products.”
It is the “perfect local and seasonal product to boost the shelves in autumn,” a period when major promotional actions are used by retailers to stimulate consumption. “Our advantage is that there are very few offers on the French market at that time.”
© Fleuron d'Anjou
Butternut: the up-and-coming vegetable
In gratin, soup or puree, the butternut squash can be cooked in many ways. This versatility, as well as its hazelnut flavor, is what attracts consumers. “A few years ago, the butternut represented barely 10% of the sales but today, it sells almost as well as the red kuri squash, which has been on the market for a while and no longer benefits from the novelty effect.” This growing interest allows the cooperative to gain new consumers each year.
For more information:
Brahim El Hasnaoui
Fleuron d’Anjou
Phone: +33(0) 241 530 480
Fax: +33(0) 241 536 712
fleurondanjou.fr