The winter period has arrived for FMB, the Flemish exporter specializing in Belgian greenhouse vegetables. This time of year traditionally marks a quieter period for the company. "Still, we can't complain about trade this year. For example, at the beginning of January, the supply of cucumbers is very good," says Jonathan Vandesande from FMB, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the end of February.
"In the run-up to Christmas, we heard from the German wholesale markets, where many of our customers are based, that activity was a bit quieter than in previous years. We visited customers in Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart in the week before Christmas, and the sentiment everywhere seemed to be that it was less busy. They had strong sales on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, but earlier in the week, movement was slower," Jonathan explains.
"We haven't noticed too much of this ourselves," he continues. "It's similar to last year, maybe even a bit busier. We can sell more tomatoes in the first weeks of January compared to last year. On top of that, cucumbers are already coming in significant volumes earlier than expected, so we're working with prices that allow us to compete with Spanish products."
For FMB, this means business is running smoothly for now. "Sales are going well. Of course, a lot of the large volumes from Spain that go to retail are pre-contracted, and we don't get involved in those as a middleman. However, for the gaps we can fill, we're seeing satisfactory sales. Regarding tomatoes, there are a lot of loose and vine tomatoes entering the market from Morocco, so we don't focus on those. But we have a strong presence in cherry and plum tomatoes, and we're performing well in that segment."
"I think we're getting close," Jonathan says. "Although we notice that everyone is more cautious. Before the energy crisis, winter cash crops were a given. When prices surged during the crisis, this was less the case for a few years. Now everyone has resumed production, but growers want more certainty upfront. This isn't surprising because the risks are higher with larger investments. Growers want to secure part of the cultivation volume in advance at prices that make sense for them."
Jubilee
For FMB, larger Belgian volumes are expected in March, but before that, another event requires preparation. On February 22, FMB will celebrate its 100th anniversary. "It will be an evening filled with music, good food, and good company," says Nick Michiels, the fourth generation in the family business.
"My grandparents, parents, and I have built valuable relationships in the industry over the decades—suppliers, long-standing customers, and business contacts—whom we would like to celebrate this milestone with. We welcome everyone who has been part of this journey. A 100th anniversary is, of course, a special milestone. We will certainly reflect on our history, but we will also look ahead to the years to come," says Nick.
The company remains optimistic about the future. "I think we've built a solid reputation over the decades. We're not doing badly and will continue doing what we do best. I'm the fourth generation and have been passionate about the industry since childhood. I grew up here, helping out, so it was clear early on where my future would be. As for future generations, we'll have to wait and see, but for now, we hope and expect to continue this passion for many more years to come."
FMB will also be present again at the upcoming Fruit Logistica from 5 to 7 February. The company can be found in hall 27, stand A-44
For more information:
Frans Michiels & Zn (FMB)
Kempenarestraat 50A - Bus 3
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
Tel: +32 15 560600
[email protected]
www.fmb.be