Carrot sales are currently going well. "We expect to have organic produce from the Netherlands available until calendar week 18. The first arrivals from Spain were of significantly lower quality than usual due to heavy rainfall. We now hope that the next batches from there are a little better. Meanwhile, prices are around a third below last year's level," says Carsten Abenhardt, managing director of the vegetable growing and trading company of the same name based in Datteln.
The last few tons of domestic association goods are now gradually hitting the market. "From calendar week 18 to 25, we will be sourcing from Spain and Sicily. From calendar week 25-26, we expect to see the first organic carrots from our own cultivation. We are confident that we will be able to start the harvest relatively early this year," predicts Abenhardt.
© Abenhardt GmbH & Co. KGCarsten Abenhardt (here at Fruit Logistica 2025) is dedicated to the cultivation and distribution of organic and conventional carrots. In total, the company has around 1,200 hectares of carrot cultivation (of which about 800 hectares are self-cultivated).
In the conventional sector, there is still a large amount of own stock available in good quality. "Similar to 2021, we will be able to catch up with the new harvest from calendar weeks 25-26," confirms Abenhardt. Given the ample supply situation, there have been no additional imports so far. "There is still no pressure on quantities from Spain, which in turn is due to the wet conditions in the growing areas there. I also do not rule out the possibility that this year we will increasingly rely on imports from southwest France instead of Spain, especially since we can also save unnecessary costs due to the shorter transport distances."
High energy costs continue to be a major factor. Abenhardt: "Market prices are currently around 25 percent below last year's level. However, this affects less the trayed goods under the regional own brand, but above all the 2 kg bagged goods, which in turn are mainly found in the discount sector as a price entry product. Here, a further price increase would be necessary to be able to absorb the high production costs, above all energy, to some extent." He expects to see more advertising campaigns for large packages around Easter.
© Abenhardt GmbH & Co. KGInsights into carrot cultivation: This year saw relatively early sowing from February 20. To keep the high energy costs somewhat in check, the field harvest has been extended accordingly this year.
Meanwhile, the current plantings have officially ushered in the season for outdoor zucchini. "Planting is going according to plan, so we expect to be able to offer new produce from the first week of June. It is also worth mentioning that we have once again expanded our acreage this year, so we are now growing zucchini on a total of around 110 ha – 70 ha of which are organic. This is a sign that this product is rapidly growing in importance," concludes Abenhardt.
For more information:
Carsten Abenhardt
Abenhardt GmbH & Co. KG
Markfelder Street 15
D - 45711 Datteln
Tel: +49 (0) 2363 / 3659870
Fax +49 (0) 2363 / 8362
E-mail: info@abenhardt.de
www.abenhardt.de