Sales of Dutch mini cucumbers started this season at a very different level from last year. "We had good volumes available, partly thanks to the weather, but prices were much lower. In the meantime, the price level has recovered well and prices are now at a good level," says Frank Mosterd of Gilad Produce. He also expects that prices will not fall away again and anticipates good levels until the end of the season.
For the first time this year, Gilad Produce is also offering coarse cucumbers from its growers in both the Netherlands and Belgium. "The start of that segment wasn't great either this year, but that market has also recovered and prices have been very good in recent weeks," Frank says. In addition, Gilad has been offering green peppers in its range for several years. "That market is pretty good this season. Prices for green peppers this year are better than for coloured ones, which had a particularly poor start."
It may sound repetitive, but cayenne pepper prices were also much lower this year than last year. "And in fact, we never really managed to shake off the low price level, although prices are finally rising a bit now and seem to be stabilising. Still, for red, green, and yellow peppers, it has been quite a mediocre season. We struggled longer with importing peppers on the market, and that did not help price levels," says Arjen Bouma.
"Sales of the specialty varieties are going a bit better, though not for all of them, as the green Jalapeño, for example, was not successful this year. Last year, we had a really good season with it, but due to an increase in acreage, prices were much lower this year. Fortunately, we are able to command a premium price in the market with our own Black Bullet brand, as many customers are loyal to it."
"We do expect more from the second half of the pepper season. Import supply is drying up, and we anticipate good price levels for all pepper varieties from September through November," Arjen continues. In addition, Gilad Produce is working with Spanish growers who grow chilies exclusively under the Black Bullet brand to serve customers year-round. "The Spanish peppers start in limited volumes in the second half of October and expand further in November."
Gilad Produce traditionally supplies mostly Dutch exporters. Peppers, in particular, also find their way into supermarket freshness packs. "In addition, quite a few chilies are still shipped to overseas markets such as North America, Canada, and the Middle East. Despite the dollar exchange rate and import tariffs not making it any easier, exports of hot chillies are still going quite well," says Arjen.
Meanwhile, the Maasdijk-based company continues to look for expansion in other vegetable products. "We do not aim to carry the full greenhouse vegetable range, but we do see opportunities in more specialised fruit vegetables, such as aubergines, courgettes, or midi cucumbers," concludes Frank.
For more information:
Frank Mosterd
Gilad Produce
T. +31 174 528 067
M. +31 622556700
[email protected]
www.cuckies.nl
