The market for celeriac has been very difficult throughout the season. Only the parties that meet all the requirements can find a place. After a significant area expansion and a good harvest, the storage warehouses are still relatively full. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
"It is terribly difficult to say anything positive about the celeriac market," Kees Vrolijk begins. He is chairman of the Celeriac Growers Association Netherlands, to which most Dutch growers are affiliated. "Farmers, and therefore the market, are extremely sensitive to sentiment. It must happen in the next 4 weeks for the remaining parties."
Stable area
To the eve During the storage season, Vrolijk was afraid of the increased yield and area expansion. "We are now paying the price for that." Statistics Netherlands figures show that the area has grown to more than 1.900 hectares. That was still 2016 hectares in 1.700. For such a small crop, a growth of 12% is substantial. The growers' association expects the acreage to continue at this level in 2018. Planting material for the main harvest was already ordered in January, so no real attention was paid to the lean season.
Thanks to the good growing season, the yield has been great; about 18% above the multi-year average. "Size is the most important thing at the moment," says Vrolijk, who grows celeriac at his company in West Brabant. "The presence of residues (MRLs) and quality are also of great importance. The top lots that meet all requirements are now selling for €0,10 per kilo. That is far too little. This is paid for tubers between 900 and 1.100 grams. In a normal season, 1.250 grams is not a problem. This year it is."
industrial market
Celeriac below 900 grams still finds a place, but the large batches of 1.500 grams are difficult to sell. Even good quality cannot help. It's what the fool gives for it. "The industry purchases little product. Usually the volume in this branch is worthwhile," said the chairman. "The sunny weather is increasing the consumption of salads. Perhaps this will also create more demand for celeriac."
He admits that he is looking for bright spots. "The main part of the early machine-harvested tubers will be later; perhaps there will be a gap until August 1, which the old crop can benefit from. Until then, old tubers will certainly be needed. The price will not see a major change, but perhaps It will improve somewhat. Customers have processed the 'normal' volume. It is the excess kilos that hang over the market."
Poland
Vrolijk has just returned from a study trip to Poland. This country is a major buyer of celeriac and grows a large area itself. "The past 2 months have been exceptionally dry in the south, where we visited companies. This followed a wet spring. The celeriac is now gone. This week, harvesting for the fresh market has started. However, this country does not want large tubers that is a challenge. Closer to home, in Rhineland-Palatinate and South Limburg, tubers with foliage are also harvested. This market cannot be compared to the storage tubers, but it does influence the mood."
An equal area offers little hope for improvement. When it started raining in July last year, the harvest grew well. Whether that will be the case again this year remains to be seen. "We should actually keep our fingers crossed," Vrolijk suggests. "In the supermarket I see fair trade stickers for the Colombian farmer. Celeriac costs €1 in the store, while we receive €0,10. Somewhere there is a lot hanging in the balance. Is that fair trade? The next 4 weeks will be crucial for the remaining parties. Hopefully they can all get a place without ending up behind the shed."