"Packers are therefore complaining, even more so, because three weeks ago they were running to the farmers offering more money, but now they are only coming in dribs and drabs," said the exporter. "Bale prices for triplets are around 17/18 cent, for grades 45-65 around 20/21 cent, for grades 60/80 around 21/22 cent and for the supers around 23/24 cent. Great prices, but if you were earning 20 cents three weeks ago, then it hurts because you earn nothing now. The demand is not there to drive up the price."
"How will the market develop? If you know that, then you can have my job. It all depends, to a large extent, on what the Eastern block does. If Russia order a few boat loads then the mood will change and everybody will have something to do. Otherwise there will be many grumpy faces," said Rene. Van Langevelde Handelsmij are not usually focused on the Russian market. "That has always been so and everybody has their own speciality. We concentrate on the Far East, America, and Europe and operate our own small packaging activity for Dutch and Belgian supermarkets. The small pack always runs well and you can set your clock by how much you will need to pack every week."