The carrot trade is currently in calm waters, mainly because most countries are busy with the harvest. How far has the European carrot harvest progressed in the meantime? And how much of an impact has the recent rain had on the schedule?
According to various insiders, the harvest of conventional carrots in the Netherlands is now approximately half completed. The bio-carrot harvest is now almost complete. Although the harvest has been halted for a while due to the recent rainfall, there have been no major gaps in the planning. The harvest is also surprisingly advanced in Germany. "I estimate that 20% to 30% of the carrots still need to be harvested," says Pieter Gabriëls, director of Bejo Zaden Germany. "The harvest is almost ready for storage. It is now getting a bit wetter, but because most of the carrots are already off the land, no major problems are expected."
On the other hand, the harvest in Belgium is lagging behind other years. "Both for the fresh market and for the industry, between 15% and 30% have been cleared overall," says Dirk Vanparys, sales manager at Bejo Zaden Belgium. This is considerably less than in the Netherlands and Germany and, according to Vanparys, this has two reasons. "On the one hand, the carrot has not yet fully developed due to the drought during the germination process and the subsequent hot summer. Many growers are waiting to achieve some extra yield. In addition, a relatively large amount of precipitation has fallen in recent weeks, which means that many places were also too wet to dig." By the way, harvesting is always done a little later for the industry, because a lot of cauliflower and soon Brussels sprouts are also processed in Belgium during this period.
Low yield, good quality
What is characteristic of this season are the low yields. In the Netherlands there are an average of 100 to 110 boxes per hectare. That is considerably less than the 125 cases in a normal year. In concrete terms, this season is expected to produce a yield of 65 to 70 tons per hectare. It is also being discussed in Germany average yields. "In any case, they are certainly not top," says Gabriëls. "We do see major differences between the irrigated and non-irrigated plots. The level is not the same everywhere as a result of the drought during emergence." In Belgium, yields this year are reportedly 20% to 25% lower than in a normal season. That is, compared to a season with sufficient water and good growth during the summer.
On the other hand, the quality of the carrots this season is good. Few problems have been identified in the Netherlands and in Belgium only a few parties are reported to be dealing with scab or ring rot. In any case less than in previous years. In Germany, root aphid still plays a small role, but only on non-irrigated plots. "It is striking that we have had little problem with mice this season, both in North Rhine-Westphalia and in Lower Saxony," says Gabriëls.
Sales remain difficult
Sales are - as in all countries and sectors - difficult. Dutch growers speak of a quiet period. Very little trade takes place, especially within the European Union. This is also partly because there is a lot of clearing going on. In Germany, growers can still benefit somewhat from the supermarkets' promotions. "But the market is certainly not oversupplied," says Gabriëls. "In addition, there is not as much extra demand as during the first lockdown. It remains to be seen how this second lockdown will turn out for the market.
In Belgium, there is talk of relatively normal to quiet sales in the fresh market, in contrast to the first corona wave. "Certain frozen industries have some shortages compared to the forecasts. But on the other hand, sales from the industries to the catering industry and restaurants are again problematic," says Vanparys. In Belgium too, it remains to be seen how the second lockdown will develop in the coming period.
Price levels a bit more stable
Carrot price levels have become somewhat more stable in recent weeks. In the Netherlands the DCA listing for B-carrot at €12 per 100 kilos and C-carrot also quotes €12 per 100 kilos. This means that the price is reasonably back at the level of last season. In Germany, the price for conventional carrots is between €7 and €10 per 100 kilos. Organic carrots sell for between €15 and €20 per 100 kilos. In Belgium, most carrots are grown under contract. What is purchased freely is offered from the Netherlands at a price of €13 to €14 per 100 kilos.