A steady growth in the supply of soft fruit is visible at the REO Veiling. This was already clear in the growing supply of strawberries. The volume has more than doubled in ten years time. In 2005 4.8 million punnets of 500 grammes were supplied in 2005, in 2015 this amount was 10.2 million. It all started in the period where certain vegetables grown in greenhouses, such as lettuce, became less attractive. Growers of these vegetables in particular switched to strawberries partially or completely. "And it's not just strawberries, other soft fruit is also gradually being grown more," says Dominiek Keersebilck. "We recently held various information evenings on the topic "Start2Berry". This showed the growing interest in the cultivation of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. West Flanders is evolving into a real soft fruit region."
Potential
When asked whether the growing cultivation of soft fruit may cause over production, Dominiek answers that this doesn't seem to be the case. "We notice a growing demand and this will continue to rise. An example: only one in four Belgians buys raspberries once per year, so there is still a potential of 75%. The reason people don't buy this products is often the high price in store. If the production increases, the availability of the product will increase and the consumer will be able to find these products more easily. With all the health characteristics that are rightly attributed to soft fruit it has the consumer's attention. Besides, soft fruit is naturally 'convenient'. We can also sell abroad. But that's for the future: the first focus is on getting enough supply to be able to constantly supply domestically."
Ground strawberries under Fine Fleur
Two weekends ago it was beautiful weather and the strawberry production peaked everywhere in Belgium and Europe by extension. "At the moment the weather isn't as good and the supply has reduced. In this week and next week we will have a volume around 340 tonnes. Strawberries under glass is passed its peak, but the tunnels are coming into full production now. This way a high quality supply of strawberries remain present at the REO Veiling. The ground strawberries will also be available from April 20, but this is just a niche. They are marketed under the brand Fine Fleur and we notice that we are slowly headed towards a set buyer audience for the traditional ground strawberries. The flavour is a hit, including among the final consumers. We are focusing on a high quality product, under Tomabel, Fine Fleur and Flandria. We want to continue to stand for this in the future too, as there are new test varieties at various growers'. We will continue to work hard on West Flanders as a real soft fruit region."
For more information:
REO Veiling
Dominiek Keersebilck
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
B-8800 Roeselare
Tel: +32-51231206
Fax: +32-51231289
www.reo.be