The future of the Belgian chicory sector is at stake now more than ever, after having already been very weakened by the fall in wholesale prices last year.
Endives are a type of chicory native to Belgium – locally known as chicon or witloof – and are a key local export. In Wallonia, there are already only a handful of endive producers left who grow the vegetable.
Based in Estaimpuis in Hainaut, its main producer is being forced to shorten its harvesting season by two months to avoid the extra costs caused by the rise in electricity prices.
"Usually, we work until the end of March, beginning of April, but this year given the price of electricity, we will stop the season at the end of January," explained Justin Cossement, co-manager of the farm along with his father.
Before being planted, the chicory roots have to germinate. And to germinate them, the roots are stored in huge cold rooms at -2 degrees. But with the rising price of electricity, this is becoming unaffordable.
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"The container where I grow the roots used to cost me €54; next year each container will cost €400," said Vincent Cossement, co-manager of the farm.
According to the company's founder, the worst is yet to come. Cossement has been growing chicory for more than 30 years and wonders if it is still worth planting for next year.
At current energy prices, it is uncertain that chicory production will remain a profitable operation in Belgium. This would be a blow for Belgium as just last year, the vegetable was included in the Brussels Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
