'Area of ​​chicory filled before the end of the year'

The area Chicory will therefore remain (expected) stable next year. According to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), this means around 4.040 hectares in the Netherlands. Sensus also concludes contracts with arable farmers in Belgium for the cultivation and supply of chicory roots. Schunselaar notices that growers are paying more and more attention and priority to chicory cultivation, and this will pay off in a higher inulin yield in the longer term. The current campaign is an exception due to the wet and dark weather conditions.

How is the current chicory campaign progressing?
"Due to the wet autumn, the harvest is not going without a hitch, but we are still on schedule. The campaign started on September 2 with the intention of finishing on January 20. This will take a few days at most. From the start we have we can work reasonably smoothly. This is thanks to the many extra efforts made by growers and contractors. Working with a mouse is also a major asset in a year like this, so that the chicory is immediately cleaned from the ground when loading."

What does this mean for revenues?
"The inulin content has been somewhat disappointing over the last month. We had hoped for a little more. We started with an average content of above 17%. Normally this continues to increase during the campaign, but we have been at 16,5% in recent weeks. A lot of precipitation and few hours of sunshine are direct causes of this. The weather gods are not favorable to us and that is a shame, after all, we are an online producer. In addition, we have to deal with a slightly higher tare percentage than in other years. This is around 15%. while the target is lower than 10%. There are many regional differences and whether or not covering with fleece cloth also has a major impact on the tare percentage. More growers should do this."

Sensus previously launched a program to improve crop yields. The goal is an average yield of 10 tons of inulin per hectare in 2023. Is the sector on track?
"We started this program in 2015. The first years we were above the set target, the past 2 years slightly below. We are dependent on the growing conditions outside. Due to the dry summers, we are slightly behind this season. Looking at the trend lines , I see that we are on track. In recent years we have also had fewer outliers downwards. Chicory cultivation is receiving more attention and priority from growers, an important condition for the success of the cultivation. And every kilo of inulin you supply more, is being paid."

How will efforts be made to achieve the target in 2023?
"One of the tracks in the yield improvement program is the development of better varieties. We do not yet see the introduction of new varieties that provide a significantly higher inulin content. We do see larger differences in root yields. As long as the inulin percentage does not decline, this means more kilos than a higher inulin yield."

The Recommended Varieties List does not mention any new varieties this year…
"That is correct. Partly due to the weather conditions, the cultivation tests were not successful. In the short term, this will not cause any problems. The Dutch variety list is important, but not crucial. Varieties from the European list may also be marketed. Before 202 "We have a new variety available. This was researched 2 years ago, but is only now being brought onto the market by the supplier. In the longer term, the failure of the variety trials does have an impact. It stagnates some genetic progress."

How will the chicory area be filled for 2020?
"We are in the final phase. There is still some space, especially in the southwest of the Netherlands, but I expect the area to be filled before the end of the year. The area remains at the same level as last year. However, with With a higher yield per hectare, we also know how to follow market growth."