“Dimethoate ban stirs demand for Dutch cherries in France”

On 22 April, 2016, France introduced a temporary ban on the import and sale of cherries from countries using insecticide Dimethoate. This had a large influence on current supply. “Cherries form the US, Canada, Turkey and Bulgaria are not allowed into the country. The French cherry season has been finished for a while already, and Belgium finished last week as well. That is why we are now selling Dutch cherries,” says importer Nico Schaft from Rungis. “This week we started selling from a cherry cultivator in Groningen. The higher, the longer we can stretch out the season. I expect we can offer Dutch cherries for at least ten more days.”

“It is also calm regarding import. The season of Chinese pomelos and Nashi pears is already here. Both products are on their way, and will arrive here in September. The MRL requirements for Chinese pears have been tightened again, so the necessary alertness is required again. We also have some longan from Vietnam, which by many is seen as an emerging production country. However, in my opinion, Vietnamese product cannot yet hold a candle to product from Thailand,” says Schaft.

“Trade is very calm in France currently. The summer holiday is between 14 July and 15 August, and the mediocre weather is hardly stimulating sales. Many people go south, where it is warmer. The terrorist threat, which increased after the events in Nice, is not good for trade. If you go to the coast, you will see soldiers patrolling the beach. That does not exactly stimulate beach holidays.”

For more information:
Nico Schaft
888 Fruit Company
Rungis, France
Tel: +33 145603640
Mob: +33 609814815
info@888fruitcompany.com