At Mabru, the wholesale market in Brussels, trade has been normal again since last month. "The calm period took quite a while and with the terror threat it seemed to take even longer. But we can't complain about the last few weeks," says trader Ludger Nollet. "The share of summer fruit is increasing, both domestically and abroad. We are still waiting for the Belgian cherries. They're expected in two weeks. We now offer Spanish cherries and along with other stone fruit and strawberries these are the most wanted items at the moment."
Not top prices
He offers apples and pears all year round and sees this is now a product that is moving to the background. "Of course we still sell top fruit, but less than in the winter. The prices have generally remained low. At the moment the best Conference costs 55 cents. This time last year we were around the Euro." It's not much better for apples. The best Jonagold in size 75 still gets 65 cents. There aren't top prices for the larger sizes."
Jonagold is still a popular apple variety in Belgium. "Yet we still see that almost no one knows the 'real' Jonagold. There are so many mutations on the market and they are all sold under Jonagold. Most customers think: 'as long as it's red'."
For more information:
Ludger Nollet
Nollet Fruit
Tel: 02 245 72 81 -0496 79 65 59
Fax: 013 44 19 12
For more information:
Ludger Nollet
Nollet Fruit
Tel: 02 245 72 81 -0496 79 65 59
Fax: 013 44 19 12