Extreme summer conditions across Europe are putting pressure on iceberg lettuce supplies, but Staay Food Group believes it has the perfect substitute
As heatwaves, drought and fluctuating availability create major challenges for iceberg lettuce supply on the European market, the launch of Staay Food Group’s iceberg leaf lettuce grown in controlled hydroponic greenhouses is timely.
“We are seeing growing demand for reliable availability of leafy vegetables,” said director Michiel Geraedts. “That is why, together with our partners, we are investing in varieties and concepts that are less dependent on external conditions.”
Popular outdoor crops such as iceberg lettuce are vulnerable to heat, drought and extreme rainfall, the company pointed out. “As a result, availability is under pressure, which can lead to erratic supply and rising prices,” it stated.
The new lettuce variety is initially being tested on a limited scale, according to the company, but with the ability to scale up if the market demand is there.
Vegetable seed breeder Rijk Zwaan is behind the new variety, grown for Staay by its cultivation partner Deliscious in a sustainable hydroponic growing environment.
The fresh crunch of iceberg is retained in the new variety, but supply is more consistent and product quality can be more predictable thanks to the controlled conditions.
“The question is no longer whether climate change will affect the availability of fresh produce, but rather how the sector will respond to it,” said Geraedts. “Controlled growing systems can help ensure greater stability in terms of availability and quality.”
As well as its own open-field vegetable cultivation, Staay Food Group is also active in covered lettuce cultivation, offering a wide range of hydroponically grown lettuce varieties from specialised greenhouses in the Netherlands.
