Jos is therefore not worried about the sales of the first harvest. "We sell a lot domestically and people love the first, fresh apples and pears. I'm not worried about the start, but I am for the rest of the season. The national harvest is big and the prices are under heavy pressure. The profits were also disappointing last season, partially due to the rising costs."
Ruhrgebied in the back garden
"We have nothing to do with Russia. With the Ruhrgebied and its 12 million inhabitants in our back garden we can sell our apples no problem, but the market situation is pulling the price down a bit. A lot of apples on the market result in low prices and I don't see immediate progress. People are trying to enter new markets, but large numbers aren't heading there yet."
Hermans has 20 acres of nature with ponds and flowers
Cherishing bees
Finally, the grower has to say that the agreements between environment organisations and supermarkets are close to his heart. "As growers we are viewed as poisoning the bee population. As if there is a fruit grower who would use substances that harm bees! We need those creatures for pollination! I have ten boxes of bees, and sow extra flowers in my nature area to get more. They should see how well I look after the bees and cherish them!"
The bees are visible in the left photo in the coloured boxes
For more information:
Jos Hermans
Hermans Groenten en Fruit
Oude Roermondseweg 161
6049 AD Herten
info@hermansfruit.nl
www.hermansfruit.nl