"UK: "Shortages greenhouse veg during seasonal change"

Normally, the Netherlands and Spain try to push each other off the British market in autumn. This year, it's different. "There are enough cucumbers, eggplants and courgettes, but the volumes on bell peppers and tomato lines aren't that high yet," observes Johan Vrijland of JNV Produce Marketing. A major reason is the extreme heat in Spain in August, and the accompanying delay in production.

Generally, there is tension between Dutch and Spanish supplies on the British market in spring and autumn, but this fall it seems as though the two seasons are having a hard time reaching each other. Johan Vrijland of JNV Produce Marketing, specializing in the British market, also notices this. "I don't expect it to go without a struggle. There will be shortages in vegetables here and there."

Normally, a switch is made between week 44 and week 46. "Spain isn't yet in full production at that time." At that time of year, there is hardly and British production to speak of. "In summer it's good, but at the start and end of the season, it doesn't really come into play anymore. Just like the Dutch production, British production is also rapidly decreasing – and there is also a lot less produce now, relatively speaking."

The autumn with shortages comes after a summer in which demand was already remarkably high. "Particularly in the normally quiet holiday months, like August but also September, it was a lot busier than usual," says Vrijland. On the one hand, that was related to the availability of produce, which was limited in the whole of Europe. "But generally speaking demand has increased. It seems as if people have more to spend now that the economy has recovered."

Calais crisis
In contrast with the good demand is the Calais crisis, which also caused JNV problems. "Ultimately everything came in reasonably well, but we did have problems with that." Fortunately clients understood the situation. "You don't have a choice, really. The circumstances apply to everyone. You're all in the same boat – or before, the same tunnel."

For more information:

Johan Vrijland
JNV Produce Marketing BV
Honderdland 242
2676 LV Maasdijk
Tel: 0031 174241400
Fax: 0031 174244942
johan@jnvproduce.nl
www.jnvproduce.nl