Although the fruit production in North Holland wasn't hit by hail, the weather conditions have left their mark on productions. "Particularly with plums, quite a bit was rained out, and yields are much lower," says Erik Kieftenburg of Fruit Noordholland in Zwaagdijk. "We're also in the middle of the Delcorf apples now. The colour isn't that great, but prices are good. We're also getting the first Elstar from the south of the country. The hail damage in the rest of the country will have consequences for the total number of kilos. So the fruit will find a way on the market."
"In terms of pears, we're in the middle of Triumph and Clapp's at the moment. The Doyenne du Comice yields are much lower, at 50% of a regular harvest. We're already getting the first Conference pears from the south of the country too. The pear harvest as such is looking good, although there are fewer individual pears, and they're not as big," Erik goes on.
"With Conference, we have a reliable year-round product available in the Netherlands. It's not a variety that has an off year. The old season ended great, and that's how we're entering the new season again. The presence of Conference is also a reason why there are hardly and club varieties available in pears. That's because we already have a very strong trump card," the fruit trader concludes.
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