If marketed for pre-packs, they may be picked after only four weeks from planting in winter. Marketing Spinach may be packaged into approximately 20 bunches per 36 Lplastic container. Produce should not be sprinkled with waterin summer as this may cause the leaves to stick together. If required,store in coolrooms at 0 o C with relative humidity of 90 to 95 per cent for 10 to 14 days. For distant markets, spinach may be packed in sleeves and top-iced.
Most spinach is sold on local markets.
Statistics show exports of 3 tonnes of spinach and silverbeet to South East Asia, mainly to Hong Kong in 1995-96. Hydroponics There has been some success with growing spinach in a hydroponic lettuce-type Nutrient Film Technique system. One of the advantages of this system is that spinach is marketed with no sand in the leaves. However, there have been problems with providing sufficient aeration to the roots. The nutrient solution must also be replaced more regularly than with other hydroponic crops.