Belgium: Beef tomato grower ventures into cherry tomatoes

It has been 31 years since Dirk Willaert first started growing beef tomatoes. His parents also had a background in horticulture, so it was not strange for him to start his own company, Solani, in 1987. Through the years his greenhouses grew from 0.5 hectares to 2 hectares. He followed by setting up a second company of 7.5 hectares to grow beef tomatoes together with a colleague grower in Sint-Gillis Waas in 2010. For that company, Tom@, a new greenhouse of 5 hectares was added recently. Not to grow more beef tomatoes, but for the cultivation of 2 different types of cherry tomatoes.

Photo Havecon: In the 31st week the plants went into the greenhouse.

The construction of the greenhouse started in February and despite the usual construction perils, the first plants were moved into the greenhouse last week. Dirk, who has been the sole owner since last year, said the following: “I expect the first harvest mid-September. The third truss already blossomed at that time. It's going fast! We grow until New Year’s. Then we start planting new plants and we expect to be harvesting again in March.”

Photo Havecon: In the 32nd week there was already blossoming in the third truss.

The new greenhouse is not much different from the 7.5 hectare greenhouse that was built in 2010. Dirk: “The only actual difference is the glass. On the new greenhouse, we now have diffuse glass with an AR-coating. We expect to see an increase in production with this glass.”

Photo Alweco: Halfway through July the screen cloth could be installed.

The choice for cherry tomatoes partially had a practical reason. Dirk: “The capacity of our sorting machine was a little too small for another 5 hectares of beef tomatoes and would require a few more adjustments, but it is also a choice for risk spreading.”

The sorting machine

The cherry tomatoes are cultivated for Stoffels Tomaten. 2.5 hectares of the Rivolo variety and 2.5 hectares of the Sunstream variety. The pick-up and distribution of the tomatoes is handled by Stoffels. For the distribution of beef tomatoes, with Rebelski as the main variety, Dirk can count on BelOrta. Dirk: “The cherry tomatoes mainly go through clients with contracts, and because of this are steady in their price. Actually, the beef tomatoes come out on top this year compared to other segments, but we still hope that spring brings a better price. Many beef tomatoes are being transported by BelOrta to Germany and England. They are the biggest buyers.”

In September the construction of the new combined heat and power system (CHP) is planned. “Again we chose for a Rolls Royce that will heat the greenhouses and supply the plants with the necessary CO2 in the coming winter months.”

For more information:
Tom@
Dirk Willaert
dirk@tomwatt.be