Holidays puts pressure on Belgian fruit and vegetable sector

It is quiet in the Belgian fruit and vegetable sector right now. Like every year, vacation time puts pressure on sales. Traders out various parts of the country do not expect the quiet demand to change much in the coming weeks. Due to the warmer weather it seems that the demand for fruit and vegetables is only happening near the coast. According to Gert Turelinckx from Wholesale Broeckaert, based in Antwerp, everything is very quiet right now. "Now it is the holidays, and it is always quieter around this time. Many restaurants also close for a few weeks in the summer. This is the trend for this time of the year. This is happening everywhere, it is also very slow with our colleagues and suppliers."

Export
The export sector is also feeling the slow down due to the holidays. Mariette Hansen from the export company Gemex, based out of Herk-de-Stad, says that this is normal for this time of the year. Gemex also takes care of transportation for products. "A few months ago we bought new trucks so we can continue to provide good service to our clients."

Retail and Wholesale
Retail is also staying open in the summer. Vanassche House from Izegem in West Flanders is known for it's store and wholesale business. Owner Rik Vandenabeele indicates that this week revenue has started decreasing. "Next week it will also continue in the same way. There are no products that are selling well right now. Everything is harder."

Import
It is also quiet in the import sector in Brussels, according to commissioner Bertus Kroon. "Right now there is nothing exciting going on. The prices of many products are at a very low level."

Mini Chicory
Even with products that stand out from the rest it is not much different, though that does not only have to do with the summer holiday. "Just like common chicory, the mini chicory has also been under pressure for a while," says Bart Bruyninckx. "We are really feeling this in sales. It is not getting any better."