"Banana sales going well"

In the run up to the traditionally calmer summer for banana sales, the market is going well, according to Arnoud Klootwijk of Wholesaler Ben van der Waal Zuidvruchten from Rotterdam. "The supply is reducing, but the market is still good and there is a lot of demand. Prices are still considerable with a level of around 17-17.50 Euro."

"I also expect the banana market to remain level for a while, until the summer fruit and soft fruit arrives in larger numbers. But at the moment the weather certainly isn't having a negative influence on the banana market," continues Arnoud. According to the trader there are no current trends in the banana trade. "Unfortunately you often here of other things being found in the cargo, which don't look like bananas at all. We have had to deal with this twice and I hope this is all."

Ben van der Waal has its own ripery with twenty cells, where, besides bananas, products such as mangos, kiwis, avocados and tomatoes are ripened. Turbana has been the main brand for bananas at the Rotterdam wholesaler for years. Arnoud foresees a good future for the ripery. "Take avocados for example, they were hardly available ten years ago, and are now a huge product. That market is going well at the moment with prices at around 17 Euro."

Ben van der Waal's customer base consists of wholesalers, grocery stores, market traders, catering and supermarkets, mainly in the Benelux, but the bananas are also exported directly to the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. The ripery is certified according to FSSC 22000, AEO and Skal, which means it can also supply organic bananas.

For more information:
Ben van der Waal Zuidvruchten B.V.
Groothandelsmarkt 176
3044 HG Rotterdam
Tel: 0031 (0) 10-4153812
Fax: 0031 (0) 10-4379494
verkoop@benvdwaal.nl
www.benvdwaal.nl