Since the beginning of April, the Bong farm in Bergheim in the Rhineland has been busy harvesting. "We started with rhubarb, which we grow on a total of 22 hectares. The quality and yields have been good so far, thanks in part to our irrigation systems. We can't complain about marketing either, as prices are slightly higher than last year," says owner Michael Bong, who supplies both retail customers and wholesale markets.
In addition to outdoor crops such as rhubarb and asparagus, Bong also grows strawberries in polytunnels. He has focused on the Malling Centenary variety, which is popular in stores. "We expect to finish this year's harvest in three weeks. Prices have been fairly stable so far, as harvest volumes have been slightly lower than last year."
Shortening of the season
While the strawberry season is now drawing to a close, the harvest of greenhouse crops is only gradually gaining momentum. Cucumbers have been harvested for several weeks now and are now being joined by tomatoes and bell peppers. Bong: "Since the energy crisis began in 2022, we have been heating less, which means we can plant and harvest later. Overall, we start the season around four weeks later and also finish earlier. Until 2022, there were years when we were able to harvest peppers and tomatoes until the beginning of December, but now the season ends during October, depending on the weather."
In addition to supplying wholesalers and food retailers, Bong markets some of its produce through its own farm shop.
Bong grows fruit and vegetables on around four hectares, including two hectares of cucumbers and one hectare each of peppers and tomatoes. "The consumption of vine tomatoes seems to be declining. This has prompted us to reduce cultivation in favor of cucumbers and smaller tomato varieties, i.e., cherry and cherry vine tomatoes. In general, we are seeing that competition continues to increase. Apart from imports from the Netherlands and Belgium, we are feeling increasing pressure, particularly with tomatoes, from so-called 'new' growing countries such as Morocco and Tunisia. Accordingly, there are currently no plans to expand the greenhouse facility or the variety of crops," he concludes.
For more information:
Michael Bong
Bergerhof
50129 Bergheim-Rheidt-Hüchelhoven
Tel.: 02183 413475
Fax: 02183 413 476
[email protected]
https://www.bong-tomaten.eu/