LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Passover is right around the corner, and that means retailers should begin to stock staple foods like horseradish root traditionally associated with the important cultural holiday.

The traditional Jewish celebration, celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, begins at sundown on Monday April 10 and ends Tuesday April 18; during this time sales of foods associated with the holiday tradition tend to spike.

“Horseradish and parsley sales go through the roof the week before Passover as they are the most traditional produce items used for the holiday meal,” said Karen Caplan, President and CEO of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, in a press release. “In addition to Passover, fresh horseradish is also used as a condiment for fish and seafood during the Christian observance of Lent, which begins March 1 and ends on April 13. It is a great opportunity for retailers to increase basket ring.”

Additionally, the traditional root has been gaining popularity, in recent years, as part of the growing weekend brunch trend. Horseradish is used as a key ingredient in Bloody Marys and is increasingly-popular in other chef-inspired creations. Baum + Whiteman's Hotel 2017 trends report lists horseradish among the year’s “buzzwords”—noting that use of the root was up 29 percent last year.

“Weekend brunch has become a part of the culture, and the trend continues to grow. Fresh horseradish is going to grow along with it,” said Caplan. “Once shoppers experience fresh horseradish while dining out, they will try to replicate it at home.”

Frieda’s notes that you can contact the company to pre-order horseradish—as well as other Passover essentials including parsley, beets and baby beets, fingerling potatoes, parsnips, parsley root, specialty carrots, and baby apples.

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Frieda's Specialty Produce