© Tom Cornelissen
This year's pickle harvest is severely disappointing. So says Camiel Kesbeke, co-owner of table acid producer Kesbeke. He points this out even though the season started so promisingly. "It was nice and warm, the gherkins developed well, and we could start harvesting relatively early in the season."
"But after that good start, the yield completely collapsed in recent weeks," Camiel says. "It's just dramatic now. The nights have been too cold. For good growth, pickles need at least 12 degrees, but we were often around 7 degrees. In fact, we've even had night frosts! And then the plant stops growing."
Shortages loom
You can guess the consequence: there are far fewer gherkins available than usual. "We have maybe one or two more weeks to process, then it's done," Camiel sighs. He therefore expects shortages to occur. Nevertheless, he promises to do everything possible to avoid empty shelves in supermarkets. "We are doing everything we can to keep supplying our customers," he says.
He also does not expect any major impact on the price of a jar of pickles in the supermarket. "We make long-term price agreements, so you won't notice much of that in the shop. Of course, there is some inflation, but it's not as if our products will suddenly go up drastically in price."
Extra work
Above all, the scarcity also has a major impact on operations. "Normally, we can run the same productions for longer periods and work efficiently. Now we sometimes only get three-quarters of a truck delivered, with different grades mixed in. That means we have to constantly rebuild and adjust. It takes more time, more labour, and you have more losses. The work is a hundred thousand per cent more intensive that way."
Asked whether shortages can be met with imports from India, for example, Kesbeke responds cautiously. "There, pickles are often fermented with a lot of salt and picked by hand. That is a totally different product, with a different structure. You're not just going to put that in a jar of Kesbeke. Because you're going to notice that difference, you're going to taste it. We want fresh, from close by."
Changing climate and future
Whether the poor harvest is an incident or a structural problem due to climate change, he cannot say. "Look, I am obviously no climatologist, but it does sound logical that more extreme weather conditions have something to do with it. Pickles like stability. High peaks and deep valleys are not exactly conducive." Still, he tries to remain optimistic: "Now, gherkins are still mainly grown in other countries, but maybe this warming will eventually make the Netherlands more suitable for gherkins. Who knows, maybe in the future we can grow pickles right here on our doorstep. That would be great!"
Although he and the rest of the family business are doing their utmost to avoid empty shelves in supermarkets, Camiel cannot completely rule it out. If it does happen unexpectedly, he mainly hopes for understanding. "A jar of pickles just doesn't grow on a tree overnight. It takes blood, sweat, and tears. When consumers see an empty shelf, I hope they understand that it is not unwillingness. We work very hard to let everyone enjoy our gherkins."
For more information:
Camiel Kesbeke
Kesbeke
Adolf van Nassaustraat 2-8
1055 RP Amsterdam
+31 (0) 20-6861121
[email protected]
www.kesbeke.nl