"Belgium: "18 tomato varieties on the shelf in high season"

When it comes to potatoes, vegetables and fruit, Colruyt Group finds it important that there is a daily fresh supply. This is what John Schockaert, head of the fruits and vegetables division at Colruyt said at the Tomato Conference in Antwerp in mid-April. He pointed out that the tomato is an important vegetable within the total fruit and vegetable range.

Jan: "The tomato volume within the fruit and vegetable range amounts to 3.13%. Within vegetables alone this is almost 5%. When it comes to turnover the tomato share is 13.02%." Compared to the eighties, Colruyt’s range of tomatoes has become much broader. "In 1990 we had an average of seven varieties, currently an average of 13. In high season it can be as high as 18. The diversity on the shelf has strongly increased, but over the last five years it’s been quite stable. The volume of smaller tomatoes in recent years has increased compared to bigger tomatoes. The ratio of large/small tomatoes is currently about 75/25. Notable is that in terms of turnover this is 50/50, so the smaller ones clearly yield more."

Jan: “The Belgian production has a preference on our shelves. In terms of development, I note that there is more and more innovation when it comes to taste. In addition, the price is becoming less important for the consumer. They are willing to pay for added value. In the future I expect even more attention to health, sustainability and taste. The emphasis will be on enjoyment. I therefore invite parties to work together towards a market-oriented supply."

Jan Schockaert also commented on lighted cultivation. "Growers should be careful that this isn’t too fast, too much. The market shouldn’t become saturated."