Strawberry prices have been high due to very little supply

The holiday period is over in Belgium. It was quiet for weeks in the fresh produce industry, says Frank Valckenier, a wholesaler in Mabru, "The school year has started again, but that costs us a lot of money. We see that consumption is still not up to standard. Usually our customers do not start supplying to schools until mid-September."

The top fruit season has begun again, "Many different varieties are coming in. For example, we have Delbare, Beurré Hardy, Triomphe de Vienne and Durondeau will come on the market for the first time this week. But they are still only small volumes." But Frank is positive about this season, "Growers still need some water because the fruit is quite small due to the drought." The first volumes were getting good prices, but that is now falling again. In the beginning Delbare was going for 90 cents and now that has fallen to 50/60 cents.




Strawberries

The trader will sell the Belgian strawberries until New Year, "The strawberries were pretty expensive the last 14 days of August. There was very little supply the last few weeks and it is hard to sell with the high price. The price is now back on track. Yesterday the Elsanta were auctioned for 1.80-1.90 per half kilo. Last week it was up to 3.80. You can't really earn anything at that price. With auction fees you reach 4 Euro quickly, and then what can you ask for? That's more New Year's prices. 

Frank hopes that things will start to pick up mid-September, "There were times that it was really quiet. There were times when we only worked with 30% of the clientèle. Of course this time of the year always brings back some business, but you still hope to sell more in good weather."


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