Due to the wet weather, cabbage-type vegetables were also planted relatively late this year on the island of Fehmarn, Germany. "At the beginning of November, we were able to cut the first savoy cabbage of this year's season, a good week later than usual. Due to the difficult conditions, we initially expected a below-average harvest, but in the last growth phase the stocks recovered well. However, due to the bacterial infestation, especially Xanthomonas, we expect an overall loss of around 15-20 percent," says Peter-Joachim Witt, managing director of Witt Insel-Gemüse GmbH & Co KG.
Savoy cabbage will continue to be harvested on the island of Fehmarn until probably mid to late December, continues Witt, who speaks of the wettest year in decades. "At the moment, we are experiencing good and, above all, dry harvesting and storage conditions. Despite the loss of volume, the produce we are harvesting is also absolutely flawless, with mostly average calibres."
Peter-Joachim Witt focuses on the late marketing of the savoy cabbage. He withdraws from the market in March at the latest, as soon as imports from Italy, Portugal, and Spain increasingly enter the market.
Focus on later marketing
So far, demand for savoy cabbage has been relatively calm, says Witt, who produces the cabbage on approximately 35 hectares. "The regions are initially making use of their own produce, which is still sufficiently available. We primarily devote ourselves to the late marketing of savoy cabbage until February/March and have thus found a good market niche. Last year, we were able to supply the local markets until mid-March, with excellent storage quality right up to the end. How the quality of the goods develops during storage will also be the decisive factor this year. Despite the challenges already mentioned, we are initially assuming normal storage qualities."
Insight into this year's planting
In terms of marketing, the cabbage grower expects a good season. "There is currently a trend towards winter vegetables from local cultivation, which is probably also linked to inflation. Cabbage vegetables are still comparatively affordable." Current producer prices are around 5-10 percent higher than last year's level, Witt continues. "We hope for a further increase by Christmas. In practice, however, this is proving rather difficult: on the one hand, all the regions first want to clear their stocks before Christmas, which is why these are often offered at relatively low prices. On the other hand, we want to achieve a surcharge of 10-15 percent for our stored goods in order to be able to work economically. These conflicting concerns are to some extent at odds with each other."
Witt has not taken part in the first advertising campaigns that have already taken place in food retailers. "We will probably deliver the first promotional goods in week 47-48."
Photo credit: Witt Insel-Gemüse GmbH & Co KG
For more information:
Peter Joachim Witt
Witt Insel-Gemüse GmbH & Co KG
Blieschendorf 6
23769 Fehmarn
Tel: +49 178 4804982
[email protected]
www.insel-gemuese.de