“My job was to get the best possible price out of the market”

He worked at the auction in Sint-Katelijne-Waver for forty years. Now, aged 60, he leaves the auction as commercial manager. Jos Van Dessel, known by many a grower at home and abroad, tells the story of his years at the auctions, from MTV to BelOrta.

Growers

Jos is happy with the contact he’s had with the growers, both in Belgium and the Netherlands, has always been good. He is known for having welcomed many Dutch growers, emphasizing he never went to ‘fetch’ growers in the Netherlands. “The growers got in touch with the auction themselves.”

Jos has always had a special bond with the Netherlands. “Relations between Belgium and the Netherlands have always been good. That the Dutch had a quick vision always interested me. I also wasn’t afraid to go against it if I thought it wasn’t good.” He also learned a lot by looking at the Netherlands, for instance that the disappearance of the auctions there wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Jos feels safe in saying the auction will still exist in twenty years. “Through the auction, the entire range of fruit and vegetables is within reach.” The commercial manager also says that growers have a right to get the best possible price. “That’s always been my top priority. We have an open and transparent system for that: the auction clock.” He expects more and more will be grown on market demand. Whether a more market-focused production would also make for more competitive prices, isn’t the main motivation, Jos thinks: “It’s important for producers to get a fair price, so they can make a profit for their company.”

Van Dessel has seen several crises. “2011 was a difficult year with the EHEC. It’s different from the Russian boycott though. But the good thing about crises is there are always positive sides to them. Every self-respecting exporter started looking for new markets, and there hasn’t been so much market development in my entire career as now.”

Jos can be found at trade shows and other events for a while yet. “I will definitely keep following the developments in the sector in the coming years. It’s important to stay up-to-date. Once you don’t know what’s going on anymore, you’re completely out of it. I don’t want that yet.”

Van Dessel has travelled a lot. “But I have seen very little. That’s going to change now. Now I really want to be in Madrid or New Orleans and stay there. And I’m going to spend more quality time with my children and grandchildren.”