"Many opportunities for Belgian endive ahead"

Mario and Corné Meesters have been growing Belgian endive for 40 years. After a few lesser years, the brothers are optimistic about the opportunities for Belgian endive. Mario: "In the past year, fewer hectares were sown, and fewer endive roots were harvested, especially in France and Belgium. Because in the past winter, the prices were good and root usage is higher volume-wise, a lot more roots than usual have been processed already. Many growers have an insufficient supply of endive roots. That's why they're slowing production now, and the new harvest won't be early. It's been cold and dry during sowing, and the emergence and growth is lagging behind a bit. Particularly from Belgium and France, there are reports of things being lacklustre. There is a lot of demand for old endive roots, and demand for the Belgian endive is also good, much better than in recent years. It's going quite well, and we look to the future with optimism. Finally the Belgian endive grower can make some money again."

In the west of Brabant, the Meesters brothers' company has been in existence for 40 years now. All those years, the company has been active in the cultivation of vegetables. And since the start, Belgian endive has been produced there. Father and mother Meesters started, and sons Corné and Mario have continued and expanded the company. Since 2008, only Belgian endive is grown there. Year-round. In winter, the company operates full speed, with around 40,000 kilos a week being produced. Freshly harvested, on the customer's order. Various sizes and packagings are possible. The customer calls the shots.

In autumn and winter, the nursery is completely full. Between Easter and Pentecost, the planned quantities are matched to the expected demand in combination with the experiences of previous years. Corné: "I have been working on the cultivation in the nursery for years now, and I also visit the farmers. We have the roots grown on a contract basis, and carefully keep an eye on whether the roots match our cultivation target. It's no use to grow Belgian endive if there's no demand in the market. That's why we lower the production in the spring and the summer period. From mid-August on, we scale up again, so that we can supply in abundance when the schools across Europe start again."

"Processing orders is my main job within the company. I also handle the administration and finances. On a day-to-day basis, I am in touch with clients regarding production, sizes, shipments etc. Sales have been going through our producer organization Best of Four for years, and that's going well. Within our company, harvesting is only being done if there are orders. That means the customer always gets fresh Belgian endive. If there are fewer orders sometimes, we stop preparing things, and the people just go home a bit earlier. The Belgian endive is then cooled on the root. That way we can slow it down a few days. When the orders come in, we continue again. With this system, we can work in a very client-oriented way, and we also always know for whom we harvest. Not one kilo leaves here before the price has been agreed upon," says Mario. Corné adds: "In the worst case, we sometimes have to destroy a bit, but that happens very rarely. But we'd prefer doing that than supply at a price where not even the labour and the packing costs are being paid."

The past years, a lot of Belgian endive has been supplied to retail customers in the Netherlands. But unfortunately, the sales organizations turned out to be unable to negotiate a good price. Volume comes before price and quality, and the brothers see that as a dead-end street. You also see that in stores, especially at the discounters and price buyers. The quality is often dismal there, but that's no surprise with the prices being paid there. That's why, after consulting with Best of Four, we decided to head into new directions. More is sold on the Belgian market, and through wholesale and exporters. That means more orders and more switches, because every client has its own specific demands. Corné: "As long as a fair price is being paid, we happily do something extra for our customers." And Mario adds: "That doesn't always have to be at a premium price, as long as the relationship is good and the quantities reasonably constant."

95% of our endive roots are grown in the Noordoostpolder. We have worked with Flevolof there for years. Flevolof has specialized in the cultivation of Belgian endive roots for nearly 40 years now. A sister company of Flevolof also grows Belgian endive. We regularly share cultivation and sales information with them. Mario: "To the market together and complementing each other, that's what makes you stronger." And we also regularly talk to each other about how the various batches of endive roots are doing at each other in the nursery. We all benefit form that, including the buyers. We like to unburden our clients with freshly harvested Belgian endive, with a long shelf life."

Sales information: 

Best of Four
Ziedewij 5
2991 LA Barendrecht
T +31 (0)180 622 499
F +31 (0)180 820 222
E info@bestoffour.nl

Other information:
Maatschap Meesters
Drossaertstraat 1
4751 Oud Gastel
Tel: 0031 611 070 293
m.meesters13@kpnplanet.nl