Belgian premium quality label Flandria has launched three new vegetable lines.

LAVA, the co-operative umbrella organisation of Flandria auctions, aims to bring new vegetables into the Flandria fold every summer and this season Flandria auctions have been offering pak choi, red beetroot and chervil under the label.

The newcomers to the Flandria range are grown outdoors and under glass. Growers abide by the prescribed specifications and there are regular on-farm checks and inspections.

Gert Vets, produce quality supervisor at Mechlin auction said: “Our professional growers supply top quality under the Flandria label.”

Flandria pak choi is available in three different varieties: one with green stems, another with white stems and a third with red leaves.

Vets said: “Since this vegetable is grown both outdoors and under glass, supply of Flandria pak choi is assured all year round. The peak runs from the end of May until the beginning of July, with production dropping slightly in the autumn and winter.”

Beetroot is enjoying a revival in demand, particularly in the catering sector, reflected by Flandria growers with increased production and enhanced grading.

Vets said: “This type of Flandria produce sets itself apart because of the consistent uniformity in every pack, based on strict grading by diameter. Careful grading by the grower is essential. Buyers have a choice of four sizes of Flandria red beetroot: small (2-7 cm), medium (6-10 cm), large (9-13 cm) and very large (+12 cm). With this more differentiated approach, we aim to respond to the specific requirements of the various sales markets.”

Flandria also has year-round availability of beetroot, with supply rising from the beginning of September before falling off at the end of April and beginning of May.

And Flandria is hoping to give newcomer chervil an added boost with upright in-pack presentation. Vets said: “Careful presentation like this ensures an attractive product and increases selling power.”

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