At Angus Soft Fruits Europe, the season for the Dutch strawberries from the illuminated cultivation has started. Grower Alfons Diepstraten from Etten-Leur, The Netherlands, himself delivered the first pallets of strawberries. "The first Dutch strawberries always meet a need," says Piet Meerkerk.
Piet Meerkerk with Alfons Diepstraten
Angus combines the start of the Dutch strawberry season with the current Spanish strawberry season. "We receive one car a day from Spain, mainly from the Calinda variety and our premium AVA variety.
Although these are not Dutch strawberries, it is a good quality for imported strawberries," says Piet.
First Dutch strawberries
He is satisfied with the Spanish season so far. "The last two weeks the demand was slightly less due to Carnival and vacations, this week the market is reviving slightly. The prices for Spanish strawberries have not fallen so dramatically this season. This year I have not yet sold under 5 euros per box and that has been different in other years."
Piet shows the berry packaging
Sales of blueberries are currently in a lesser phase. "There are a lot of origins on the market and so many different products cause some unrest on the market. There is still a little Peruvian product available on the market, Chile sends blueberries and Morocco and Spain have also started, "Piet notes.
"Prices are also considerably lower, but I expected that too. The arrivals are a lot higher due to the new planting. That was already the case from Peru and we also expect a doubling of the volume from Morocco," according to the fruit trader. "But in Chile and Peru you know exactly what's coming because the fruit is in transit for four weeks. You don't always have that overview with the Moroccan supply, which causes more uncertainty on the market."
According to Piet, demand for Dutch red currant from cooling has been stable for weeks. The Mexican blackberries are short every day. This year Angus Soft Fruits Europe will further update its packaging location in The Netherlands and invest in an additional berry sorting line.
For more information
Angus soft fruits Europe
Piet Meerkerk
Handelsweg 150
2988 DC Ridderkerk,
The Netherlands
T:+31 (0)18 0760 409
piet.meerkerk@angussoftfruits.com
www.angussoftfruits.com