"Eggplants' popularity increasing slowly"

Six years ago, Jurgen and Nancy Franco Topa from Jabbeke, started with the year-round cultivation of eggplants. "Formerly, we produced tomatoes, but because of an illness in the plant we decided to grow something else," Jurgen explains. The grower was open to the public during the Day of Agriculture. "There was a huge turnout, the day was positive and overwhelming."

About 2,000 people visited the company. "We do a lot to make the eggplant more known to the public. Therefore, we participated in these days so the Belgian public can get to know the eggplant better. We also showed them how to prepare the eggplant and presented snacks. There was an enormous amount of interest in our company, our products and how we work as a grower."

Prices
Jurgen indicated that the eggplant season in 2015 was less than the year before. "At the end prices rose, but during the summer was less. But we cannot complain. The eggplant prices on September 21 were between 1.40 and 1.60 euros. You notice that the Spanish eggplants are entering the market. Last Monday the price was still around 2.50 to 2.60 per kilo, which is one euro more."

Slow growth
"With six growers we deliver to BelOrta. BelOrta came this summer with a beautiful new concept: the oven and grill foodkit with herbs and oil. Through such initiatives, we note that the popularity is increasing slowly. The market could not handle it if we double the production next year. Everything step by step."

History
In the 70s Jurgen's father began as a grower. Jurgen's brother Bjorn chose the business side with the company Rutoma and Jurgen chose to take over the greenhouse. The acreage of eggplants is about 3.5 hectares.

For more information:
Jurgen and Nancy Franco
Topa
Eernegemweg154
Jabbeke8490
+32 (0) 50 81 57 98