"Good prices for Spanish strawberries this winter"

It's calm in the fruit trade at the moment. According to Frank Valckenier of the Belgian Valckenier BVBA they were doing well until mid December, but the trade collapsed after the New Year. "At the moment it's varied, you can have one good day and then nothing for the next few." He indicates that the calm time is normal for this period. "We are now waiting on the domestic soft fruit. We're hoping it picks up again a bit after Easter."

Good prices for Spanish
Valckenier is offering Spanish and Dutch strawberries at the moment. "We received good prices for the Spanish this winter, they have been quite expensive. It was cold in Spain for a longer period so the supply was smaller. Up until 14 days ago we were still at around three Euro for 500 grammes. Today we're at 2.25. That's also a good price." Frank indicates that they consciously choose top quality with the Spanish. "We only work with the better brands, as this is what our clients are asking for. We have tried other brands before, but in the end you only lose out."

Dutch in a dip
He expects that if the supply of the Dutch and Belgian volumes increase, the Spanish prices will start to go down. "We still only have a small supply from the Netherlands, but it's striking that the market was in a dip last week. "The Dutch were still quite cheap for that time of the year, around three Euro per half kilo. There's a rising line now again. About a Euro was added today, and that's a decent price."

Valckenier will have more volumes from the Netherlands and Belgium in a months time. "It will be another four weeks and we expect to have a good supply from the heated greenhouses at Easter. At the moment we're offering a bit of Dutch Sonata and Clery. They look gorgeous, but you need sun for the best flavour."

For more information:
Valckenier BVBA
Frank Valckenier
Kerkhofstraat 10
1760. Roosdaal-Pamel
Tel: +32 475-682125

Magazijn Mabru
Quai des Usines 22-23 Halle E
Tel: +32- (0)2 241 50 54
www.mabru.be