On the import market in Brussels the terrorist situation has normalized, "Yet, it is still a strange period," says Jan Vermeiren from Exofi. "This mostly has to do with the warmer weather. People eat different things when its -5 degrees then when its 8 degrees. We also did not have much of a festive feeling around the holidays, unfortunately. There was too much business."
Jan continues, "Because of the heat, Spanish strawberry production has soared and started much earlier than in other years. Last week the strawberry market fell down like a house of cards. Spanish vegetable prices were also lower, but some vegetable prices are going up."
Avocado prices
Avocado prices are high, "There is little supply at the moment. Smaller volumes are coming from Spain and Israel. There has been less and less coming from Israel in recent years. There is an increasing number of people in Belgium who would rather not purchase products from this country." According to Jan, the ripened Hass avocados are becoming increasingly popular, "Currently, the prices vary from 14 to 16 Euro. The Pinkertons are between 9 and 10.50 Euro."
Lychee
Lychee prices usually fall after the holidays, but currently the prices are remarkably high for this time of the year, "More rising then falling, because the volumes are smaller. This may have to do with the fact that in the past too much was imported, and now there is more thought put into how much will be brought here."
For more information:
Exofi Fresh Market BVBA
Jan Vermeiren
Werkhuizenkaai 112, mag.25-26
B-100 Brussel
Tel: +32 2 243.12.49+32 2 243.12.49
GSM: + 32 475 86.09.80+ 32 475 86.09.80
info@exofi.be
www.exofi.be