The wet weather has big consequences for the production and consumption of strawberries, cherries and other berries. "We had a very good greenhouse season this spring, but the start of the outside season for cherries and strawberries hasn't been good. A week and a half ago we had the kick off of our cherry season and it has done nothing but rain since then, which hasn't done the outside cultivation any good," says commercial Director Leonard Kampschoer of FruitMasters.
Leonard Kampschoer and Kees de Kat
Cherries
"The outdoor cultivation is in trouble and even the covered cultivation has been damaged by the long term rain. You also buy less cherries when it's bad weather. Look at the traditional stalls along the roads, consumers don't go there when it rains. It is also bad for the quality of the cherry cultivation in the Netherlands and Belgium. A lot of cherries have burst due to the rain, if it holds up the slightly later cherries Kordia and Regina from covered cultivation may also be lost," continues Leonard. "The expectation is that because many cherries have dropped out the prices will remain at a high level."
The cherry area is also expanding year by year at FruitMasters. "The Dutch cherry cultivation has a good future, if it's covered. For the cherries that aren't covered - there are plenty of them in the Netherlands - the risk is too high. This has shown in recent years, in which the rain and hail damage has been high. You're left hoping for a windfall to make some money. The investment in covered cultivation is big, but worth it."
"We also see large price differences in the price between the structures and outside cultivation. The Prestige strawberries are being sold all week for 1.50 - 1.70 Euro, whilst the price of the outdoor cultivation is around a Euro. There is a big difference in the shelf life of the soft fruit and this is resulting in such big differences in price," concludes Leonard. "It goes to show that the cold outdoor cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult. This is also the reason for the changes we made to structured cultivation."
Soft fruit
Soft fruit is also bothered by the weather conditions. "The redcurrants are doing quite well. At the moment we're a bit bothered by the Portuguese competition, but the berries are being sold for 1-1.60 Euro per 150 grams and there is good demand from the domestic and export markets. Blueberries are currently transitioning from import season to Dutch product. Because there are now imported blueberries available, the price shot up to a level of 2 Euro per box. The supply of blackberries is in full swing with a price level around 1.10 Euro per box. The raspberry market has been under pressure, including in quality. The weather has been bad for too long. You sell triple when it's good weather," concludes the commercial director.
The innovative Fruitmasters Prestige line
Apples
"The apple season is now ending for Elstar and the club varieties. We hope to serve the market actively with Jonagold over the coming months. Traditionally there is pressure from Eastern Europe with these apples, but because other varieties are ending, we see space for the late season. It's about time the growers got paid a good price for this," concludes Leonard.
For more information:
Fruitmasters
Leonard Kampschoer
lhm.kampschoer@fruitmasters.nl
www.fruitmasters.nl