Trifolium to conquer the European market

Hundreds of thousands are sold in Scandinavia, but not so in the Netherlands. That is, until recently, because last year Dutch grower Elstgeest Potplanten started producing Trifolium; clovers, in other words. The green variety is well-known, but the interesting thing is that it's also available in red, black, and other unusual colors.

Sander van der Zwet presented the trifolium a few weeks ago at the Seasonal Trade Fair

Pot plant grower Joris Elstgeest ran into the plant at a Danish grower who supplies Scandinavia with clovers. Always looking out for something new, something nobody else is doing, Joris was immediately interested. He saw a market for it, and the Danish grower couldn't keep up with the demand. The result? Elstgeest now has the exclusive rights to sell clovers in the rest of Europe.

Something completely different
In terms of production, it doesn't match the other crop very well (Elstgeest grows Dieffenbachias), but he's got a good idea how to grow it, Joris assures. "It's not an easy plant, and it's not at all like the Oxalis, which many people instantly think of. We work with blackout screens, illumination, it's a closed production and also nearly completely organic, because it basically can't stand crop protection. And it's a garden plant you're growing, so in that respect it's one complicated plant."

Salads
The plant is also not the easiest in the logistics channel. When dry, leaves start to yellow, and if it's too wet, fungus quickly forms. However, once in the garden it recovers completely, forms new stems and leaves, and is very tough. "It's winter hardy up to -30 degrees Celsius (hence Cool Clover) and thus super strong. And it's edible too, and is said to have medicinal qualities. We're still looking if we can do something more with this. Perhaps we can see if restaurants are interested in decorating salads with it."

The plants are being harvested for the second year in a row now. And Elstgeest has released a consumer website, and they started 'loading' a Facebook page. "More and more consumers are asking where it's for sale, and retail is also taking notice. They also thought it was Oxalis at first, but now they're starting to understand it's really something else, and the price tag is something else as well."

For more information:
Elstgeest Potplanten
Bovenweg 1
2376 BE Nieuwe Wetering
Netherlands
T: +31(0)71-3313318
F: +31(0)71-3318549
E: info@elstgeest.nl
www.elstgeest.nl