With 1 month to go, the celeriac season is not over yet. The long-keepers thus have a chance to close the old season with a golden edge. However, there are a number of factors in the market that make this more difficult.
The harvest and sales of celeriac were severely affected by the drought last season. The figures from the Celeriac Growers Association of the Netherlands show that there was 15% to 40% less product in stock among their members on May 45. This concerns absolute tons, compared to the previous season. "When we compare that with the 5-year average, the level is approximately 20% lower," says Kees Vrolijk, the chairman of the association.
Price made a late move
"The ex-farm season established a price between €0,30 and €0,35 per kilo. This price was then maintained until March 1," says Vrolijk. "In the following weeks, this level rose to €0,40 to €0,45 per kilo, and continued to rise in the following 2 months. Especially when forward sales were sold for €0,70, the market started to move. Incidentally even €0,80 was offered."
Things seemed to be going well for a while when the market suddenly turned around in mid-June. “Since the price exploded in such a short period of time, the volume sold decreased,” Vrolijk continues. "In combination with the high temperatures, several retailers have decided to remove celeriac from the shelves. As a result, we are now dealing with a difficult market and that lots that have already been sold are staying put longer."
However, the chairman remains of the opinion that long-term keepers can also achieve a good price, provided they can deliver good quality: "The fact is that the stock is meager. In the early cultivation areas in Poland and Germany it is extremely hot, which hinders growth. "We still have 3 to 4 weeks to go in the old season. The question now is when sales will start again and at what price level they will trade."
Watch for quality
Spring started early, but it remained cold for a very long time. As a result, the growth of primeur cultivation was delayed. It is also uncertain what this cold will do to the crops (as far as bolters are concerned). The connection between the old and new harvest requires attention. "The quality in storage is important," says Vrolijk. "We see that, due to the erratic growing season, aging is further advanced than in other years. Bad heads and problems with sclerotinia occur. In the last phase of the season, the lots can wear out quickly."
The current price level also has a positive effect on the new harvest, which is often freely grown by specialized companies. "With a farm price of €0,70 you cannot help but be extremely satisfied. The cost price is at least €0,30 per kilo. Even with a yield between 40 and 45 tons per hectare you have a good balance. Well we see that the center and north of the Netherlands achieve better yields on average than the south."
Stable area
The expansion of the area is a very sensitive point for celeriac. Last year the area increased to a level of approximately 1.900 hectares, which the grower association expects to be maintained in 2019. "The plant growers talk about a fraction less area, because they have sold fewer plants," says Vrolijk. "The planting season went well. Planting was possible quickly, although on average this was perhaps a little later due to problems with the supply of planting material. As an association we want to try to get a better picture of crop and market development abroad, because this is very important for the Netherlands."