People are satisfied with the strawberry season up till now. “We’ve had a good spring. Just over a week ago, there was a serious slump of ten days, but fortunately, the market recovered. Last week was good. Prices even went towards 5 euro per kilogram for good quality. So far, we are happy about all fields, including price, quality and production. On Monday 29 May, prices were around 3 euro per kilogram for most varieties. It makes sense that this drops occasionally when production is larger after a hot weekend. The Sonata super quality sold at a bit higher on Monday, about 1.80 per jar. On 30 May prices rose considerably again, from 4.40 to 4.60 per kilogram. Monday’s lower prices were therefore definitely caused by the supply peak after the hot weekend. At the auctions I’ve heard that export is in full swing again, so that’s a good sign. We will be able to sell the higher production in that case,” Flemish grower Wim Meyers from Meyers Softfruit says.
Too much soft fruit
Strawberries are doing well, but he’s less positive about the other types of soft fruit. “Due to the summery weather, production of soft fruit increased sharply. These products already have lower prices at the start of the season, and pricing is much less than last year. On 29 May, the blackberry prices increased somewhat again. Last week, they were below 50 cent, and now they are around 90 cents again. During this same period last year, prices were 1.50 per punnet. That makes quite a difference per kilogram.”
Tomatoes
The popularity of soft fruit has increased. “Each year, more and more is sold, but the areas also increased, both in Belgium and the Netherlands. Especially in the cultivation of blackberries. Regarding production, it was a small product, and although it increased in use, it wasn’t by much. If you then suddenly get two or three times more product, it becomes more difficult. Yet it’s all on the market and it’ll just have to be eaten. I’m certain the popularity will increase even more, but we shouldn’t be increasing the areas with multiple hectares at a time. That’s an option in tomatoes, but not in soft fruit.” For more information:
Meyers Softfruit
Allewijstraat 3
B-3770 Riemst, Belgium
GSM Louis +32 (0)495 528110
GSM Wim +32 (0)478 938826
F +32 (0)12 456647
E info@meyers-softfruit.be
W www.meyers-softfruit.be