Maikel van den Berg is concerned about the future of strawberry farming in the Netherlands. Retailers and consumers are putting more pressure on farmers to produce strawberries that meet higher quality standards and have minimal chemical residues. However, growers are finding it increasingly difficult to meet these demands.
He points out that market expectations are constantly rising. "Usually, you would deal with an issue as it comes up. Now, it feels like the market identifies a problem and expects us to resolve it. It's like being told to stay dry while walking in the rain without an umbrella."
He mentions that there is a growing emphasis on reducing chemical residues, even though farmers are already complying with legal standards. "Our strawberries are safe, delicious, and of high quality, and they already fall well below the required residue limits. Yet, the standards continue to become stricter."
"We already deliver top quality strawberries with low residue. What the retail now asks for is simply not feasible without consequences," says crop advisor at Syngenta, Maikel van den Berg
Three paths into the future
Maikel has identified three possible strategies to further narrow the gap between maintaining high quality and achieving low residue levels:
1. Breeding: developing strong varieties
The first approach is to develop more resilient strawberry varieties that rely less on crop protection products. "However, breeding strawberries is challenging," he explains. "It's not just about enhancing resilience; we also need to maintain or improve their taste and shelf life, which takes time. While current varieties are not perfect, they are the best we have right now." Furthermore, existing varieties are showing signs of weakening. "For instance, we're seeing more issues with powdery mildew, and we need to address that."
2. More knowledge of biological products
The second approach involves advancing and utilizing biological agents. Although many newly approved agents are now biological, they present their own challenges. "Biological agents often have a shorter development cycle, meaning there's less practical experience with them, and their effects are less predictable. Unlike chemical agents, which tend to be consistent, the effectiveness of biological agents depends on various factors such as climate, fertilization, timing, and even the presence of beneficial fungi in the greenhouse."
Syngenta conducts annual tests of these agents in real-world situations, including at Hoogstraten. "Two years ago, we observed excellent results in a trial, but last year, there were no positive outcomes at all. This illustrates how inconsistent the effectiveness can be. Continuous adjustments and increased knowledge are essential."
3. Retention of the current product range
The third – and according to Maikel most important – path is to keep the resources that are still there. "We will probably lose more chemical resources in the coming years. The few that we still have are crucial – certainly in combination with biological resources."
For diseases like powdery mildew, Botrytis, and Mucor, chemical products are often crucial. "Without these products, managing these issues becomes very difficult, if not impossible. Biological solutions can provide support, but they cannot fully replace chemical agents. Eliminating chemical products without having complete alternatives would likely lead to significant cultivation challenges where compromises would have to be made."
Moroccan strawberries are not the solution
If Dutch growers are unable to continue or if production costs rise too high, there is a risk of increased imports from countries like Morocco. "However, this could affect taste and quality," warns Maikel. "Strawberries from these regions spend more time in transit and can sometimes be as hard as an apple. They are cheaper, which appeals to those wanting strawberries in January, even though that's not the season for Dutch strawberries. This shift might cause consumers to lose their sense of seasonality. Additionally, the long distance between our countries means that transporting these strawberries generates significant CO₂ emissions."
A clear signal
The grower believes that the push for reduced residue mainly comes from the retail sector, not the consumer. "Retailers are leading this charge, pressuring growers into difficult situations. They aim to shield themselves from negative publicity by emphasizing 'residue-free' products. But at what cost?" he questions. "That's why I'm making an appeal: We have high-quality strawberries with low residue levels in the Netherlands. Let's appreciate this excellent product so that Dutch growers can continue their cultivation successfully."
For more information:
Maikel van den Berg
Syngenta Crop Protection
Tel.: 06 510 976 13
[email protected]
https://www.syngenta.nl/