Ten years ago Sven and Miet Roosen took over the company Gerrits Fruit. To start with the focus was mainly on apples, but since 1996 the largest volumes has been pears. At the moment Gerrits Fruit has 35 hectares, of which 3 hectares are apples. They also process and trade the fruit from several fellow growers. The most important varieties are Conference and Doyenné du Comice.
Difficult season
Last season was difficult. Sven Roosen: "We collaborate with exporter Bel'Export and luckily we have found few problems. But of course, the prices weren't what they should have been. After new year the pear market started to pull up, but by that time there wasn't much volume left." Sven consciously chose not to trade through the auction. "We were one of the pioneers who started to sell outside of the auctions. At first we took care of the sales ourselves, but lately we've been working with Bel'Export more and more." The competition in Limburg is high. "It certainly isn't easy. You see more and more growers selling outside of the auction. But we continue to define ourselves with quality."
Future of apples and pears
According to Sven it's impossible to predict what will happen in the future. "I don't expect many problems for pears. We thought we had too many this year, but we were wrong. They're all gone." He's not as optimistic about apples. "We shouldn't grow much more, but focus more on the domestic market or new markets. But then we have to define ourselves more with quality. As far as export is concerned we can't rely on the East Block. Poland is already very active there. At the moment Poland is even buying in Belgium. They give up to 25 cents per kilo. They're mainly focussing on Red Prince, which is popular in India. Poland also bought a lot of pears from here. I understand that certain growers want to make money, but if we look at the long term, Poland could take the trade from us like that. We have to be very careful about this."
Current market
"The current situation is positive for pears. There is little volume and exporters have to buy more from the auction. No one expected the market to pull up like this after new year. We were afraid we would have to clear out at the end of the season like last year, so we worked hard. In apples the prices for the good quality is on the rise a bit again. But growers aren't left with much to cover the costs." He notes that a lot of growers are struggling. "A few have already dropped out and there are rumours that more are struggling to stay afloat. Something may yet happen. Or we're going to have to have a great season next."
He looks towards the new season with optimism. "It's hanging well at the moment. But a lot could happen. We have to wait and see. There are rumours that there is less volume in many places. And you know what they say: if a season ends expensive, it starts expensive. I have a good feeling about it anyway."
For more information:
Gerrits Fruit
Hasseltsesteenweg 131
3720 Kortessem
+32 11 37 60 17
+32 11 37 60 17
info@gerritsfruit.com
www.gerritsfruit.com