The weather has an unmistakeable effect on the soft fruit market this year. “The complete soft fruit supply currently comes from the greenhouses. We had a relatively cold spring, and that resulted in an extremely fickle pricing. In early spring there’s illuminated production of Dutch product, and this finds its way to Dutch supermarkets in addition to import product increasingly often, and that’s a positive development.”
“Strawberry prices were fluctuating for a long time for the time of year, but due to the good weather there’s now more demand than supply, and prices are rising again,” says Jan Willem Tolhoek, Head of Marketing and Sales of Veiling Zaltbommel.
“In general, the production was once again delayed due to cold and dark weather, but its now being boosted enormously by the amount of light. Yet supply at Veiling Zaltbommel is still relatively limited, although we’re at the point that production should really get going. The outdoor production will arrive on the market late May, and these days of summery weather are definitely helping that along. Currently there’s still quite a bit of Southern European product on the market, but because of relatively much rain and cold, Spanish supply is at a lower level than usual,” Jan Willem says.
Portuguese strawberries
For some years now, Veiling Zaltbommel has also offered Portuguese Elsanta strawberries grown by Dutch growers, for which agreements with customers have been made. “This season will last until mid-May, and went well,” Jan Willem says. The raspberry, blueberry and redcurrant area has been slightly expanded by the auction. The blackberry area is stable, and in autumn an expansion of the strawberry production will follow.
Sonata
Blooming greenhouse blackberries
For more information:
Jan Willem Tolhoek
Veiling Zaltbommel
Tel: +31 (0)418 579 911
j.tolhoek@veilingzaltbommel.nl
www.veilingzaltbommel.nl