Netherlands: Disappointing sales small tomatoes

Although there were signs of a good spring in the tomato market, those expectations have not yet become reality, according to Bart Zeevenhoven of Scherpenhuizen. “Beefsteak tomatoes and plum tomatoes somewhat managed to escape the price slump, but especially for the small tomato segment sales are down.”

“There is an unexpectedly large supply from Morocco, Italy and Spain. Import, and quality, appeared to decrease fairly after the start of traditional cultivation in the Netherlands, but there was a boom in product, which still continues. In addition, retail sales are disappointing. The market situation will not change until a switch to packaged, Dutch trade takes place,” Zeevenhoven expects.

The selling price of beefsteak tomatoes is between 90 cent and 1 Euro. Plum tomatoes are sold at 1 to 1.10 Euro, and the price of loose tomatoes is currently rising slightly to between 75 and 80 cent. In the segment of small tomatoes we take whatever people want to pay. We are hoping for better times, but for now we must struggle on,” Zeevenhoven concludes.