In just a week the price of strawberries has halved. This has several causes. “First and foremost there is still supply from Spain, and there are still buyers who prefer these strawberries. Furthermore, production has increased, while we still do not have consistent spring weather,” Jackie Boussier of export company Boussier explains.
Growers unhappy
“Last week prices reached up to 3 euro, and currently (19 April) the price is around 1.50 euro per 500 grammes,” according to the trader. “Approximately 100 to 120 tonnes per day are supplied to auction, so we are still not yet in full production. I think competitor Spain is the largest cause of the decrease in price.” Boussier indicates that prices are fairly low for the time of year. “I do not think the growers are happy that strawberries are at this level this early in the season.” Boussier exports mainly to Scandinavian countries. “There they will only have production around June, so we can continue supplying them for several more months. Demand is good, some customers already want to reserve strawberries for May.”
Apples and pears
Boussier is pessimistic regarding top fruit. “I have worked in the top fruit sector for many years and have seen difficult years. But there was always one product that did well, if not the apple, it would be the pear. This year both products are doing badly. It is becoming increasingly difficult for growers to survive. Growers still receive between 44 and 50 cents for good pears, but when adding up all the costs, they often still have to make up the deficit. In trade, there is also not much money to be made anymore with top fruit. Yet you cannot suddenly stop supplying when you do not make a profit with a product, as customers will then get the product from someone else.” For more information:
Jackie Boussier N.V.
Colenstraat 11a
3840 Borgloon - België
Tel: +32-12741991
www.belfrutex.be
jackie@boussier.be