The harvest conditions were difficult for the organic carrot, but a large part now seems to be behind us. The next question among growers and buyers is how quality will develop in the coming period. It is expected that some will have to be removed again in the short term.
In recent weeks, quite a bit of carrots have been sprouted between showers. It is difficult to say exactly how much is left at the moment and it is a bold statement, but compared to conventional carrots, the percentage of harvested organic carrots is ahead. However, the harvest took place under very difficult conditions and there seemed to be no other option given the weather forecast and the calendar. "Growers have pushed their boundaries considerably with the harvest and the structural damage to the plots is extensive," says an insider. In addition, areas that are too wet have regularly been missed, product has been lost during the harvest and there is enough soil in the box.
As far as storage is concerned, we are heading for an exciting time. How will the carrot develop due to the wet harvesting conditions? An advantage is that the quality during harvesting was not that bad with regard to phytophthora and point rot.
Harvesting under wet conditions did result in a relatively small supply of organic carrots, but this seems to have found a place without too much difficulty. The industry is quite demanding and product is also required for export, says an insider. The DCA indicative price for organic carrots has risen again compared to last week and is now between €29 and €35 per 100 kilos. However, the range is large and depends a lot on the party.
Organic potato market
The organic table potato market continues the same trend as previous weeks. Product is being sold, but it is not above average busy. The demand and interest in table potatoes continues to persist. Growers have little need to open the box and have no urge to say goodbye to their lots. The DCA Indicative Price for organic potatoes is therefore €50 to €60 per 100 kilos.
As usual, it is not particularly busy for organic onions at this time of year. It does not alter the fact that there are no opportunities this season, because there certainly are for the second half of the season. And then things can go very quickly, if, for example, Germany enters the market. Both growers and sorters are confident of a plus in the second half of the season. The DCA Indication Price for organic onions is increasing, but the spread remains very wide. That depends on the quality, the size sorting, but also who buys the onions or where they go. The indicative price is €45 to €55 per 100 kilos, with the comment that few transactions are made.