Hope for the apple market

After a difficult period, the apple market seems to be moving again. "There's been a bit more action the last few weeks, and I expect it to improve a more," Tony Derwael of Bel'Export thinks. "Domestically it's going okay, with 10 to 20% more being sold than last year. But we can't deal with this amount domestically alone. Since a few weeks, demand has gone up here and there, mainly from Africa, and the East is also buying some."

Low Euro advantageous
He notes that the price is still low. "One advantage for our growers is the low Euro. On January 28, the Euro-dollar exchange rate is 1.12. That's historically low. Imported apples are all sold in dollars, meaning retail will be much less interested in importing. So that's a nice bonus for our 'own' top fruit." The stocks in Europe are still high. "We are really facing big stocks. Fortunately demand has increased a bit, and with certain varieties I even expect the stock to be cleared fast. Varieties like Elstar and Gala can be sold on the European market. Hopefully they'll switch to Jonagold after that."

Derwael also has a cautious prognosis for the new season. "I expect the new apple harvest to be much smaller. When I look at the trees, it may be only half of this year's volumes. That mainly has to do with the 'off year' effect."

For more information:
Tony Derwael
Bel'Export
Neremstraat 2
3840 Borgloon - Belgium
Tel +32 12 440 551
www.belexport.com
belexport@belexport.com