Apple growers fear difficult year

At the fruit company 't Hoogveld in Bertem apple production is the top priority. At the company, various varieties of apples are grown, in particular Zari, Gala and Decosta," says Kristien Van Essche, who runs the company together with Eddy Decoster. She said that right now it is quiet on the market. "The Zari variety is marketed through our growers association, but it is going to be difficult for the other varieties. Right now it is of course quite early, but for the time being I do not see it going well.

Waiting
She says that it mostly has to do with the Russian boycott. "This year there is more serious production of course. There has not been any talk of pressure on the prices, but it is quiet on the market. If there is no trade, there is also no price." At 't Hoogveld they are busy plucking right now. "We started in the Gala today (August 28). These are stored in the fridge and then we have to wait." She does not have a lot of hope. "Should the market turn up, it will still take a while. I fear that the growers will have to wait a while to see any profit. "Many growers choose to store their product. "That could become a problem. There is a chance, especially in the last weeks of the harvest, that there will be a shortage of paloxen and fridge space.

Consumers not noticing
In the beginning of August, right after the Russian boycott, pears were being heavily promoted in order to increase domestic consumption. "We noticed this in home sales in the first fourteen days. People were spontaneously asking for pears. But I have the impression that in the meantime this has decreased. The news of this was quick and the consumers, generally, are not noticing. In the short run it works, but in the long run pears and apples won't be eaten anymore." She thinks it is good that it is being heavily promoted to increase consumption. "But is it going to work? I fear that we will have a bad year. We must survive."

For more information:
Kristien Van Essche
't Hoogveld
0032 477 235319
www.thoogveld.be