The raspberry market is starting to scramble out of its dip at the moment, although according to grower Chris Loncke from Loppem the prices still aren't profitable. "The lesser market situation has been around for almost ten weeks. We are looking for various causes, such as the weather condition and the quality of the fruit. There is nothing wrong with the quality of the raspberries. There is just too much on the market. All the surrounding countries also thought they could expand considerably, with a consequence of everything being 'full'. We see that the consumption is rising in our home sales, but the total consumption didn't rise with the supply this summer."
Livable prices
Chris emphasises: "My demand to the parties who asked growers to go down the soft fruit routes during information evenings, is to now prove themselves by giving their growers livable prices!" Earlier this year Chris spoke about his fear about the situation in the soft fruit market in the coming years.
Disastrous
He indicates that the raspberry prices have been disastrous. "40, 50 or 60 cents was given for very good raspberries, this is much too little. We have been slightly higher in the last two weeks: 80 cents to a Euro, but this just covers the costs. And we need profits as growers. Hopefully the revival in the market will last longer this season."
Frambofruit is located in Loppem, West Flanders, and is specialised in the cultivation of small fruit, raspberries in particular. The red berries, gooseberries, blackberries and blueberries are almost exclusively for private domestic sales. Chris Loncke says that he started the company 33 years ago. The raspberry area is two hectares.
For more information:
Frambofruit BVBA
Chris Loncke
Oude Ieperweg 26
8210 Loppem
GSM: 0032 (0) 477 95 80 21
chris@frambofruit.be
www.frambofruit.be
For more information:
Frambofruit BVBA
Chris Loncke
Oude Ieperweg 26
8210 Loppem
GSM: 0032 (0) 477 95 80 21
chris@frambofruit.be
www.frambofruit.be