A smaller crop of chicory roots in Belgium this year will undoubtedly have consequences for the market. The Belgian auctions are expecting to be able to supply at least 10 per cent less witloof chicory (Belgian endive) under the Flandria quality label during the 2003-04 season. However, ideal conditions for harvesting the roots and placing them in cold storage mean that excellent quality is predicted.
As in France and the Netherlands, the crop of chicory roots expected in Belgium will reflect the exceptional drought conditions experienced during the summer. Initial estimates indicate that there could be significant regional differences. In some areas the drop may go as high as 15 per cent.
One aspect that should not be overlooked, however, is that last year was an exceptionally good year for chicory roots. Compared with 2001, the 2003 harvest will actually be normal.
Experts at the Belgian auctions are expecting that the shortfall will be particularly evident in the “short and thick” category (known as KDI), in which the chicory heads (chicons) are 11-16cm in length and 4-7cm in diameter. The new crop is expected to be generally smaller in size. There will though be a larger supply of Flandria witloof chicory in the finer categories (“short and thin” and “very short”) in the new season.
Both producers and retailers will remember 2002-03 as a season of abnormally low prices for Flandria witloof chicory. The rock-bottom period also lasted an exceptionally long time, continuing virtually uninterrupted from November 2002 through to August 2003.
The Belgian auctions expect a steadier ride in 2003-04. “Everyone in the industry is longing to get back to normality”, said one source.
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