It has been unusually calm on the apple market over the last few weeks. This was said by director Michel Schrijnemakers of Fruitveiling Zuid-Limburg. "It's like everyone's asleep. We have to compete with Eastern European apples on the foreign markets and it's not doable. The Polish exporters are making money when they sell for a quarter. You might be supplying better quality product, but on a price market there's only one thing that counts."
"Around 90% of the supply of Elstar is intended for the domestic market, the export markets in particular are lacking. Very good apples are sold from Poland for a quarter, and lesser quality for 15 cents. Those prices are unbelievably low," sighs Michel. "The only apple market doing reasonably is the Elstar. 50-60 cents is paid for a good Elstar, 35-40 for a good Golden and Jonagold and Boskoop starts at 30 cents tops."
Pears
The sales of pears are going slightly better according to the auction director. "We only really have Conference pears and this is quite a stable market. The price of the 65 sorting is between 60 and 70 cents, 55's go for around 50-60 cents. These aren't hugely great prices, but not bad either. The pears are sold quickly, both on the domestic market and the export markets. I expect a stable market. I am curious about the storage figures. Last year there were suddenly a lot less pears. I wonder if these figures will be right this time."
For more information:
Cooperative Fruitveiling Zuid-Limburg
Aan de Fremme 33
6269 BK Margraten
Tel: 0031 (0)43-458588
Fax: 0031 (0)43-4588599
info@veilingzl.nl
www.veilingzl.nl