"Thanks to the great weather our production is on target. Not just a tomato here and there, but at least a half kilo ready to go," explained grower Tom Ammerlaan from Themato Nursery. "We did not start early but we do have customers ready for delivery which is needed with a special tomato. It is also easier to plan growing schedules if there is sufficient volume. So this is a positive start to the season." The nursery also grow quality plum Romanella tomatoes.
Over the last three years Red Egg have been sold through Coforta and The Greenery. The season started with nice prices compared to the standard product. "The biggest problem for a speciality is its defining qualities," said Ammerlaan. "If a customer asked for plum tomatoes and a seller has product A for 80 cent and product B for 90 cent, then the choice is quickly made. There needs to be a reason for it," said Ammerlaan. "We now see that we are gaining more customers who know and appreciate the difference."
Russia
Russia remains the main market for Red Egg. So far we have not encountered any problems there, but it remains a concern: If the border closes then we have a problem," recognises Ammerlaan. Through The Greenery there are now efforts to be less dependent on Russia. "The market pays well and we don't want to close the door, but we need to spread the market." The goal is to deliver to a Dutch, British and German supermarket chain." For the German chain, Edeka fits nicely; Red Eggs are available packaged in a 3kg box with the Red Egg brand on top. The tomatoes are also available in British chain Morrisons this year. In The Netherlands we are still looking, although last year Albert Heijn had special offers with them, there is no permanent contract, yet.
Year round production
Since Red Egg was introduced three years ago, the area allocated for cultivation at the four affiliated nurseries has increased to 14 hectares. Last winter a half hectare was grown using artificial light, at Zwinkels brothers nursery, which went well. Prices were not great this winter which makes it hard to see the value, but you know that a continued presence makes seasons easier and so far experiences have been positive. "We are now looking for a good alternative for an artificially lit winter vine tomato cultivation. There are less produced so the value has to be worth it and if it isn't then we will switch over to year round production of the Red Egg tomato."
For sales information:
Ronald van den Berg,
Fruit vegetable Salesman
The Greenery
tel: +31 (0)180 180 657 975
e-mail: R.vandenberg@thegreenery.com
Russia
Russia remains the main market for Red Egg. So far we have not encountered any problems there, but it remains a concern: If the border closes then we have a problem," recognises Ammerlaan. Through The Greenery there are now efforts to be less dependent on Russia. "The market pays well and we don't want to close the door, but we need to spread the market." The goal is to deliver to a Dutch, British and German supermarket chain." For the German chain, Edeka fits nicely; Red Eggs are available packaged in a 3kg box with the Red Egg brand on top. The tomatoes are also available in British chain Morrisons this year. In The Netherlands we are still looking, although last year Albert Heijn had special offers with them, there is no permanent contract, yet.
Year round production
Since Red Egg was introduced three years ago, the area allocated for cultivation at the four affiliated nurseries has increased to 14 hectares. Last winter a half hectare was grown using artificial light, at Zwinkels brothers nursery, which went well. Prices were not great this winter which makes it hard to see the value, but you know that a continued presence makes seasons easier and so far experiences have been positive. "We are now looking for a good alternative for an artificially lit winter vine tomato cultivation. There are less produced so the value has to be worth it and if it isn't then we will switch over to year round production of the Red Egg tomato."
For sales information:
Ronald van den Berg,
Fruit vegetable Salesman
The Greenery
tel: +31 (0)180 180 657 975
e-mail: R.vandenberg@thegreenery.com