Do high Spanish auction prices make Dutch tomato growers think?

Why do Dutch growers not sell at least some of their tomatoes in Spain? Wim Grootscholte has been asking himself this for a while now. Especially now that he is visiting Spain again. There, shelves and trading houses are currently full of tomatoes.

These tomatoes are also getting a good price. Considerably better than in the Netherlands. "If I were a tomato farmer, I would know that. I would become a member of an auction house here. And I would sell my tomatoes in Spain," says Wim.

That was what he said after he posted a tweet, which reads, "Gentlemen, tomato growers. Have a look at the prices for average quality. Here is still a considerable amount, just like yesterday. Why does no one become a member here? You will get €1.40."

Laughing Spaniards
Wim used to be a bell pepper grower for the Dutch company, 4Evergreen. He used to have a plot in Spain. He is always surprised by the difference in price and quality when he is in that country. "Large Dutch tomatoes-on-the-vine lie on the shelves here for €2.10. That is next to Spanish tomatoes of considerably poorer quality."

"Yet, the Spanish farmers still get prices for those tomatoes that are higher than what the Dutch growers get for their product in the Netherlands. The Spaniards are laughing themselves silly here," Wim says.

“For example, Dutch and Spanish tomatoes can be found next to each other on the shelves here in Almería,” says Wim. On the left are Dutch TOVs; on the right, Spanish tomatoes. 

Big market for the taking
Wim thinks that Dutch growers should register at auctions in Spain. If they were to do so, they would easily beat the Spanish competition with their superior quality. "Almost 47 million people live in Spain. They eat a lot of tomatoes."

"Of course, transportation will cost something; let us say € 0,11 per kg. And the batches that are auctioned here are small. But you can get drunk on small sips too, I always say. In any event, you as a Dutch grower will have more left over than you generally would with the prices in the Netherlands."

The 'problem', according to Wim, is that Dutch farmers are still doing well. Maybe too well. "As a result, no serious thought is being given to switching to Spanish auctions. I do not understand this at all."

"I have suggested the idea a few times already, but no one is willing to run with it. It is actually unbelievable. When I get back from holiday, I am going to discuss this with the Dutch growers again," Wim concludes. 

For more information:
Wim Grootscholte
wim@grootscholte.nl