Chicory

There is much excitement in the current European chicory root market. "Productions are low, and chicory prices have skyrocketed," says Sjan van Gorsel of Reijnpack in the Netherlands. "Belgian auction prices were around €3 for a while; now they're at €2.50-€2.70, which is still quite high." read more

The Dutch chicory market is becoming more exciting by the day. With prices topping €5/kg, chicory prices are reaching record highs, says a Tolpoort Vegetables representative. These sky-high prices have everything to do with the root supply shortage. The heavy, persistent rainfall is drenching
read more

This year's chicory root harvest got off to a rather slow start, according to grower Joseph Münch from Grafschaft-Gelsdorf. "The wet May meant we couldn't prepare any dams, which is why the whole thing was delayed until the beginning of June. After that, we had a long dry phase, during which
read more

'En óf je witlof lust' ('And if you like chicory').This chicory campaign launched in the Netherlands on Wednesday, September 27, at Oxin Growers. With growers, traders, suppliers, and the press in attendance, almost 18 months of work and research were transformed into a campaign intended to
read more

A smart harvesting robot that separates chicory heads from their roots. Fragile bell pepper plants growing up a rope. Or pheromone traps among apple trees that keep harmful insects at bay. BelOrta wants to show off fruit and vegetable cultivation craftsmanship with its pop-up exhibition 'RIJP,
read more

On the Belgian chicory market, the new chicory root harvest is slightly delayed. Late sowing means it will still be a while, putting the market under quite some stress, "Everyone must be cautious with their stock to ensure enough supply," Charles Cattoir of Primalof begins. read more

Dennis Blankendaal of Frysk Witlof in the Netherlands has no complaints about current chicory sales. "Those usually fall somewhat in the summer, but supply is limited at the moment. In Belgium, too, there's little chicory to sell at auction. Then, if there's even a slight shortage, prices can
read more

read more

Enhancing local ecotypes to preserve Italian flavour. This is the research objective of the seed company Blumen Vegetables Seedsper the creation of products with the intense flavour of 'yesteryear' but also improved in terms of uniformity, resistance and adaptability. Between
read more

With the introduction of the new, early chicory variety Tobix, the Dutch seed company Rijk Zwaan will again focus more on the chicory market. According to a report by 'Nieuwe Oogst', Rijk Zwaan has not had any commercial varieties in the
read more

Chicory prices are still good even as summer approaches, says Charles Cattoir of the Belgian company Primalof which specializes in hydro chicory. "Spring has been long and good. Now, in the second half of April, demand is still generally excellent. The export market's getting somewhat quieter,
read more

The Belgian soil-grown chicory season is gradually nearing its end. With the asparagus season starting and summer approaching, consumers will increasingly be leaning toward products like tomatoes and asparagus. "The end is in sight. Many growers have already stopped the soil-grown whites. We
read more

Ten years ago, overproduction on the Dutch market led to chicory grower Tonny Kraan relocating to Poland. "My wife is Polish which made things a little easier. And Poland was a nice growth market for chicory," says Tonny. read more

Dutch chicory demand is currently unusually high. "All supermarkets are having promotions simultaneously, so sales are running like crazy," says Dennis Blankendaal of Frysk Witlof. "The local and overseas supply is sparse; prices are, thus, much higher than last year. We need some time, though,
read more

Despite inflation and cost increases, the company said it had a strong sales season overall for organic chicory. "In January as well as February, marketing was a bit slow, which is probably also partly due to inflation and consumer reluctance to buy. In line with the lower demand, we then pushed
read more

Chicory is usually a predictable product that is hardly subject to price fluctuations. This year, however, there has been a striking development. For months now, wholesale prices have been going through unusual ups and downs. read more

Chicory is usually a predictable product that is hardly subject to price fluctuations. This year, however, there has been a striking development. For months now, wholesale prices have been going up and down. read more

European chicory is currently selling well. "At Belgian auctions, the price is between €1.30 and €1.40, and sales of packaged chicory, too, continue well. Italy and Germany are particularly good markets for chicory," says Sjan van Gorsel of the chicory packing company Reijnpack in the
read more

This year has been especially difficult so far for the production of vegetables that require a greater energy investment, because while energy prices (gas, fuels and electricity), are showing some signs of improvement, they are still high. read more

This week sees the start of the second Chicory Week in Belgium. This Flanders Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) campaign aims to raise awareness of this Belgian pride again, which, it turns out, is indeed necessary. "Long-term consumption figures keep falling," begins VLAM's Nele Van Avermaet. read more