Sales manager Alfred Boot explained that the strawberry trayplant industry has seen a big increase over the last couple of years and that the propagation of strawberry trayplants has become an industry on its own.
"The European acreage with protected berry cultivation is on the rise, and so is the demand for propagated strawberry trayplants," he said. "Strawberry growers want to produce as early as possible and heavily rely on the trayplant starting material. The 250 cc. are produced as potted fresh plants to be used in August or stored in the frigo for use in spring. The smaller 130 cc. plants have a smaller root system in a smaller pot and are best used in table top systems outdoors. This plant type is also usable for day neutral varieties.”
The current offer with propagation trays for these schemes are heavy-duty long life propagation trays for multiple use. The new trayplant trays of HerkuPlast are made of a lighter and thinner material and can be recycled after use. According to Boot this brings several benefits to the propagator.
"First of all the trays are lower in costs, so the propagator can keep its cashflow as he doesn't need to invest in expensive trays anymore. Next to this the one time use of the trays guarantees maximum hygiene; the trays no longer need to be disinfected with chemicals, which at the same time lowers the impact on the environment. After use, the trays are collected by us and recycled into new raw material for other trays."
Boot explained that this cheaper alternative allows more flexibility. "Many trayplant growers prefer to have a one time use tray as they do not really know what the market looks like in five years. Perhaps the pot sizes are changing in the next few years or growers are looking at other alternatives. All reasons to be on the safe size and choose for a more flexible system with cheaper trays."
Alfred Boot of HerkuPlast at the recent Fruit Logistica in Berlin
HerkuPlast developed the system in close collaboration with the industry. "A lot of things are happening in the berry sector and therefore we believe that it is of paramount importance for us as a supplier to participate in discussions and events like the Global Berry Congress and the International Strawberry Congress. We feel the urge to be involved in discussions and actively re-invest a substantial amount of our profits into research, development and knowledge transfer within the industry. These two new trays are a direct result of that participation."
The 10-hole tray will come available in March, followed by the 16 hole tray in April.
For more information and samples:
The current offer with propagation trays for these schemes are heavy-duty long life propagation trays for multiple use. The new trayplant trays of HerkuPlast are made of a lighter and thinner material and can be recycled after use. According to Boot this brings several benefits to the propagator.
"First of all the trays are lower in costs, so the propagator can keep its cashflow as he doesn't need to invest in expensive trays anymore. Next to this the one time use of the trays guarantees maximum hygiene; the trays no longer need to be disinfected with chemicals, which at the same time lowers the impact on the environment. After use, the trays are collected by us and recycled into new raw material for other trays."
Boot explained that this cheaper alternative allows more flexibility. "Many trayplant growers prefer to have a one time use tray as they do not really know what the market looks like in five years. Perhaps the pot sizes are changing in the next few years or growers are looking at other alternatives. All reasons to be on the safe size and choose for a more flexible system with cheaper trays."
Alfred Boot of HerkuPlast at the recent Fruit Logistica in Berlin
HerkuPlast developed the system in close collaboration with the industry. "A lot of things are happening in the berry sector and therefore we believe that it is of paramount importance for us as a supplier to participate in discussions and events like the Global Berry Congress and the International Strawberry Congress. We feel the urge to be involved in discussions and actively re-invest a substantial amount of our profits into research, development and knowledge transfer within the industry. These two new trays are a direct result of that participation."
The 10-hole tray will come available in March, followed by the 16 hole tray in April.
For more information and samples:
HerkuPlast
Alfred Boot