Frosts in the EU have affected Brussels sprouts harvests, and producers are increasingly turning to Morocco to ensure stable supplies, writes EastFruit.
Unexpected frosts and snowfall in the Netherlands in early January became a serious challenge for Brussels sprouts producers in Northwestern Europe. However, for companies with geographically diversified production, weather risks are increasingly becoming a manageable factor rather than a crisis. One such example is Fresh2You, which is already positioning Morocco as a key pillar of resilient, year-round supply.
Fresh2You is a relatively new player in the Brussels sprouts market. At the core of its strategy is product specialization, with a focus on precise and sustainable cultivation supported by smart technologies at production sites and in the packing facility, a максимально short supply chain, and tailor-made packaging solutions. The company offers Brussels sprouts year-round through a combination of its own production and exclusive growing partners in the Netherlands and Belgium, complemented by its own cultivation in Morocco. Risk is diversified by spreading production zones from the northeast of the Netherlands to northern France. In addition to its core production countries—the Netherlands, Belgium, and Morocco—Fresh2You also cooperates with a grower partner in the United Kingdom.
Frosts in Europe: Supply Under Pressure, but No Disruptions
According to Menno Molenaar of Fresh2You, farmers used every possible “window” to harvest. During periods of severe frost, harvesting was impossible, resulting in reduced inflows. Nevertheless, on frost-free days volumes were quickly ramped up, allowing the company to meet all customer commitments without cancelling deliveries.
Photo: Fresh2You
Demand for Brussels sprouts remains strong. Promotional campaigns in European supermarkets, as well as air shipments to the United States and Canada, continue to support the market. Prices have edged up slightly due to limited supply.
The Key Risk: Quality Loss After Frost
The main question in the coming weeks is how well the plants have withstood the cold. For late varieties in the southwest of the Netherlands, expectations remain cautiously optimistic; however, in several regions frosts were significantly harsher, which will almost inevitably lead to additional losses. Under such conditions, producers believe the market should respond more adequately to reduced availability.
At the same time, modern sorting technologies make it possible to remove produce that does not meet specifications and to maintain consistent supply quality. As a result, buyers will increasingly need flexibility in specifications, though not in delivery reliability.
Morocco at the Center of a European Strategy
Against the backdrop of weather risks in Europe, Morocco is gaining particular importance. In approximately eight weeks, once the Dutch season ends, Fresh2You will fully switch to Moroccan Brussels sprouts. According to the company, growing conditions in Morocco this season are close to optimal: sufficient rainfall in recent weeks has supported good crop development.
Fresh2You is building a year-round Brussels sprouts offering through its own production and partner cultivation across several countries. The backbone of production is the Netherlands, Belgium, and Morocco, with risks spread across a wide geographic belt—from the northeast of the Netherlands to northern France.
A New Resilience Benchmark for the Market
This season’s experience once again confirms that, in conditions of climate instability, the decisive factor for stable vegetable supplies is not only yield, but geography. Morocco is increasingly viewed by European operators not merely as an off-season alternative, but as a strategic element of risk management.
For the international fresh produce market, this points to a growing role for North Africa in supplying Europe, as well as fiercer competition for high-quality produce during periods of weather stress in the EU—a trend market participants are likely to feel ever more acutely in the coming years.
The use of the site materials is free if there is a direct and open for search engines hyperlink to a specific publication of the East-Fruit.com website.
