In Belgium, the new season for soil-grown chicory has started again. The moment this product, which is now grown almost exclusively in Belgium, reappears is always considered special. "Last week, we received the first field-grown chicory. At the moment, it is mostly still chicory from last year's carrots, but we are certainly pleased with the quality," says Herman Lion of Lathouwers & Co.
For the wholesaler from Wolvertem, this is one of the busier periods of the year, as the supply of field-grown chicory coincides with hydroponic chicory. "It's still a bit of a waiting game to see how things will turn out," the trader explains. "The soil-grown chicory from last year's carrots doesn't have the same structure as the new carrots, but so far, the product we're receiving is fine. From next week or the week after, we expect the first chicory from new carrots, so we're waiting for that. How it will look, I can't say. Everything in this cultivation depends on the weather in the coming period."
However, Herman says the company definitely can't complain about demand. "With the change in weather, you see that people are more in the mood for chicory. Of course, the supply is a bit lower because there were many climatic issues in the spring. As a result, fewer carrots are available, which are also used for hydroponic cultivation. This means fewer carrots will be planted. We've been seeing lower supply and higher prices in hydroponic cultivation for some time, and that trend is continuing with field-grown chicory."
"In hydroponics, we are currently at around €3 per kilo, which is quite high," Herman continues. "The limited supply, combined with demand, is also driving up prices for field-grown chicory. However, we can still meet customer requests for now. We will have to wait and see how the new carrots perform in the fields. I've heard from a few growers that they seem to be coming in smaller than usual, but it's too early to tell." The field-grown chicory season will continue until around next April. "However, that also depends on whether there are still carrots available. If fewer are planted, we could finish sooner. We'll see."
Schil-Mij-Nietjes
In addition to chicory, Lathouwers & Co. is also involved in the cultivation, packaging, and delivery of potatoes, recently launching their "Schil-Mij-Nietjes" line. "These are specially selected potatoes that combine convenience with nutritional value. The unique aspect of these potatoes is that they do not need to be peeled, thanks to their thin, smooth skin. This skin is tasty and contains extra vitamins, making them a healthier choice than conventional peeled potatoes," Herman explains. "We noticed a market demand for this type of convenience."
"Schil-Mij-Nietjes sets itself apart from regular supermarket varieties through our careful selection of potato varieties with thin skins and uniform sizes. This means no time is wasted on peeling, and we can guarantee quick and even cooking times. This makes them ideal for various preparations, such as boiling, baking, or steaming. With Schil-Mij-Nietjes, you save time in the kitchen without compromising on flavor, nutritional value, or quality—perfect for anyone looking to quickly prepare a healthy meal."
For more information:
Herman Lion
Lathouwers and Co
Veilinglaan 39
1861 Wolvertem (Meise), Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)52 39 79 00
[email protected]
www.lathouwers.net