What alternatives does carrot cultivation have?

If we look at the figures from Statistics Netherlands, the area of ​​winter carrots is not immediately in decline. The area has decreased slightly, but is still at a high level. Maybe that will change for 2018. Many growers are negative about the future.

German influence
The sales market for carrots changes. This mainly has to do with Germany. The country is trying to strengthen its grip on the product and wants to meet demand as much as possible itself. Gatenvuller Nederland noticeably suffers from this. Even sales of organic carrots are somewhat slow.

"While Dutch exporters are leading in the global trade of onions and potatoes, they have partly missed the boat when it comes to washed product," says Robert Schilder of seed supplier Bejo in their Carrot Magazine. "Exporting unwashed carrots is outdated. Fortunately, laundries and exporters are turning the tide."

Character change
"By scaling up carrot cultivation, the speculative and volatile character of this product will disappear," says arable farming specialist Erik Arts of accounting firm Countus. "We have also seen this happen with onion cultivation. Contract cultivation is increasing, especially on heavier soil, where a long-storable product comes from. With contract prices between €8 and €9 per 100 kilos, growers continue to grow carrots."

The area of ​​winter carrots has been at a level above 2011 hectares since 6.000. Only in 2015 did it come close to this, with more than 5.900 hectares. In the year 2000, 4.728 hectares of carrots were still grown. The provisional area for 2017 is 37% larger than 17 years.

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Development of the carrot area in the Netherlands.niche market
Some carrot growers seek refuge in other carrot varieties. Snack carrots, tray carrots and colored carrots are not lacking in popularity. "These are all niches. The companies that specialize in this are doing well, but the market is small," says Arts. "Moreover, you have to have the right soil type and you keep switching between types in the long run. A grower doesn't want that."

The easiest choice for the time being is to stop cultivation. "That has few consequences, compared to, for example, onions and potatoes," says Arts. "Most growers do not have their own mechanically cooled storage and have little mechanization of their own. Stopping does not turn your company upside down." However, it does not offer an attractive financial alternative. It is precisely finding a crop with the same financial promise that makes finding an alternative so difficult.

Alternatives to carrots
"Which alternatives are available depends on your construction plan and your location," says Arts. "In the Noordoostpolder we see an expansion in the cultivation of chicory. However, you have to master this cultivation. In Eastern Flevoland, arable farmers prefer to rent out their land for tulips and sugar beets can also offer an alternative. Some of the growers have now decided because the tulips have to be in the ground now. Another part waits for January and February and postpones the decision as long as possible. This gives them a better view of the price development of both beets and carrots."

From a construction planning point of view, grain offers an alternative. Financially speaking, this is unattractive. Perhaps extensive cultivation will be used in the southwest and north.

Root province of Flevoland
Carrot cultivation is mainly clustered in Flevoland. In 2016, the municipality of Noordoostpolder accounted for 1.503 hectares and Dronten for almost 1.100 hectares. Zeewolde and Lelystad are in the CBSlist on 336 and 215 hectares. You can also immediately remove the North Holland municipalities. Hollands Kroon with 305 hectares and Schagen with 209 hectares.

Many companies, especially in Flevoland, have become organic in the past. "It is currently a bit quieter with changeover switches," says the arable farming specialist. "Sales are stagnating. A group of pioneers has switched and the followers are now waiting to see how the market develops further."

Celeriac as an option
Some arable farmers, who have built their own mechanical cooling and box storage, see a benefit in celeriac. This small crop offers volatility and risk, but also the chance of a positive balance. "Our biggest concern is the difficulty in selling carrots," says Kees Vrolijk, chairman of the Celeriac Growers' Association of the Netherlands. "The crop will be partly replaced by celeriac, that is our idea. The market for this crop should not go in the same direction as carrots. You have to deliver quality to distinguish yourself. That is not always easy, partly due to weather extremes. Good is not no longer good enough today."

Cultivation supervisor GreenAcker from Dronten has another alternative. The cultivation of vegetables for the canning industry. "Industrial vegetables suit Flevoland's arable farmers who want variation in their crop plans," says GreenAcker director Olaf Bogers. The company notices that carrot growers are looking for alternatives.

The contract conditions for canned goods are clear and concise. A significant part of the cultivation costs are borne by the processing industry, it promotes. “This means lower risk and higher returns,” says Bogers. The company hopes to expand the pea area by 2018 hectares in 100. There is also room for beans, spinach and kohlrabi.

2018 will be a turning point
Arts sees 2018 as a turning point for carrots. "You don't see new growers coming in. Winter carrot cultivation is shifting to heavier soil, with more product under contract, which reduces volatility. Whatever you choose, make a good decision for your company. Assess the risks and look for the right one. alternatives."