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4 years ago

ThePartnership no. 15

  • Text
  • Vegetable
  • Squash
  • Smartfood
  • Radish
  • Onions
  • Organic
  • Zaden
  • Partnership
  • Enza
  • Varieties

Radish rules Markets in

Radish rules Markets in Poland, Russia and Ukraine Red, round radish occupies a modest position on the ranking list of most popular vegetables. However, in Ukraine, Poland and Russia these small, crispy tubers with a fresh-spicy flavour are extremely popular. So popular even, that these countries account for more than a quarter of the global consumption. “An emerging market segment is the pre-cut radish product.” Oleg Gladouniak The radish is also an important product for Enza Zaden, explains Regional Sales Director Oleg Gladouniak. The native Ukrainian is responsible for the sale of seeds in Poland and all the former Soviet republics, except the Baltic states and supplemented by Afghanistan. He concludes that the red, round radish occupies a firm position on the menu in at least three countries within this vast area. “If you look at the consumption per capita then Russia, Poland and Ukraine tower above the other countries,” he says. “That is no wonder, when the combined 225 million inhabitants – about 4% of the global population – represent more than 25% of the global consumption. And that share is still increasing, even though the population is barely expanding.” Hybrids are gaining ground Portfolio Manager Rudi Jock from the Pfalz in Germany – the main centre for the cultivation (approx. 3,000 ha) and breeding of radish in Europe – and Marketing & Sales Manager Jacek Malinowski of Enza Zaden Poland also see that there is still growth potential in Eastern Europe and Russia. Not least because increasing numbers of growers in Russia and Ukraine are switching from traditional open pollinated varieties to hybrid varieties. “Poland has already made this transition,” according to Malinowski. “Hybrid varieties are more productive and more uniform, have resistances against important diseases and therefore produce a more reliable, more predictable growing result. This predictability is becoming increasingly important.” A good, predictable yield of high quality has become a dominant factor in the choice of varieties by growers. Customers – mainly supermarkets and vegetable processors such as cutting facilities – demand certainty about the quality and supply of fresh products. Hybrids offer a higher degree of certainty and a much higher uniformity, allowing nearly a 100% product harvestability. In addition, growers are investing in more modern growing systems, such as foil greenhouses. Both factors have resulted in a higher yield per square metre and extension of the growing season. As a result, fresh radish is available at a reasonable price from early spring to late autumn. According to Jock, this is particularly important in the spring, when East Europeans look forward to fresh vegetables grown on home soil after a long, cold winter. Due to its short growing time, radish is the first vegetable to become available and is therefore seen as a real harbinger of spring. Market segments Following the example set by Western Europe and North America, a further segmentation of the fresh produce section is taking place in Poland, Russia and Ukraine. In addition to the manually harvested bunches of radish with leaves, increasing numbers of stores are selling transparent bags of loose radishes. In addition, radish is a popular ingredient in pre-packaged, ready-to-use, mixed salads in these countries. The radish is benefiting from the growing middle class who can afford slightly more expensive 8 | The Partnership The Partnership | 9

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