What is Bimi, the Asian 'super veg' taking over Murcia's fields?

The Region now supplies most of Europe's demand thanks to its climate and farming expertise

Bimi is a hybrid vegetable that combines broccoli and Chinese kale. In recent years, it has moved from being a relatively unknown crop to something that is now regularly found in supermarkets across Europe. Demand has been growing steadily, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it has become more widely available and increasingly popular.

People tend to like it because the entire vegetable is edible, from the stem through to the florets. It is also relatively low in calories, with around 35 kilocalories per 100 grams, and contains plenty of nutrients. 

Most of the bimi sold in Europe is grown in Spain, and Murcia has developed into the main production area for bimi globally, supplying most of the European market. 

The crop grows particularly well in areas such as the Guadalentín Valley in Lorca and the Campo de Cartagena. These areas have lower humidity and fairly stable weather, which means fewer plant diseases and more consistent growing conditions throughout the season. 

A combination of suitable climate conditions, established irrigation systems and experienced farmers has made the Region one of the few places able to produce bimi at scale, placing Murcia at the centre of a supply chain that now reaches across much of Europe.

But bimi is not an easy crop to grow, and it needs a lot of attention from planting right through to harvest. The vegetable is picked by hand, with each stem cut individually to make sure it meets strict quality standards. After harvesting, it must be cooled quickly and kept within a controlled cold chain so that it retains its freshness by the time it reaches supermarkets. On top of that, it needs more water than many other conventional vegetables.

On the plus side, unlike traditional broccoli, bimi can produce several harvests from a single planting. This makes it more efficient, although it also means more work in the field and more organisation behind it.

The production process is overseen through agreements with the Japanese seed developer and brand owner Sakata Seed Corporation, working with Spanish agricultural companies such as Deilor and other producers based in Murcia.

Demand for bimi has been growing steadily over recent years, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it has become a more familiar supermarket product with increasing sales. In other parts of Europe, including France and Germany, interest is also starting to pick up as the product becomes better known. Much of this growth comes down to its convenience and how easy it is to cook, which has made it a straightforward addition to everyday meals.

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