Last week, the first zucchinis were sold at REO Auction. Due to the sunny spring, the season started two weeks earlier than usual. In recent years, the supply of zucchini experienced an explosive growth in the REO Auction. Last year nearly 33 million units were brought to Auction. That's 8 million zucchini more than in 2010 and about 12 million more than 2009. It looks as though the zucchini acreage will continue to grow. Depending on the weather conditions, REO expects a slight increase in the flow rate of zucchini for the fresh market in 2014. On the REO Auction the supply of courgettes surges to 250,000 units in the next five weeks. Summer is traditionally the peak season. During that period, some 2.5 million zucchini arrive at the REO Auction each week.
The strong growth of the volumes has the auction exploring alternative marketing channels in several markets. Currently, zucchini are distributed throughout Europe and even Russia. "Normally, zucchini come in standard blue EPS boxes with 14 and 16 items," notes Product Manager Jurgen Braekeleer of REO. "But thanks to the flexibility and expertise of its producers, REO can respond to the changing demand of Belgian supermarkets, wholesalers and exporters.”
"The advance sales system of zucchini has in recent years become a growing success. The system allows the buyer to choose the packaging before delivery. Also for sorting there is greater customer flexibility. Our buyers now have much more say in how they want their produce, in which quantities”, size and composition.
More information:
Jurgen De Braekeleer
Product manager courgette REO Veiling
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
B-8800 Roeselare
+32(0)51 23 12 69
