The soft fruit trade is currently fairly calm at Mabru, and that is in part thanks to the holiday period. “We notice that many customers take long holidays. It appears to now be an annually recurring phenomenon that the month of August is calmer than July,” says Frank Valckenier of the wholesaler of the same name.
Ups and downs
In recent weeks, the supply of soft fruit has been scarce, and prices have been very changeable. For many types of soft fruit we can speak of ups and downs. Strawberry prices rose sharply before the holiday of 15 August, and reached 3.80 for half a kilogram. On the holiday itself they dropped to 3.30/3.40, and yesterday prices were around 1.50. That means production increased again. Raspberry prices are currently at 1.60 for 150 grammes. Blackberries were very expansive last week, but their prices are currently halved again. Blueberries are fairly stable regarding pricing, and redcurrants are completely dependent on quality. These are available for 1.50, but can also be found for 3 Euro.
Much fruit on the market
According to Valckenier, the surplus of other types of fruit, such as stonefruit and melons, could also be one of the reasons people are consuming less soft fruit, and especially strawberries. “If a customers buys a kilogram of nectarines in the shop, he will not also buy strawberries. Moreover, consumers have been eating this fruit since March, they might be tired of strawberries by now. We are still selling them, but that is mostly to customers we then also sell them to be processed. We expect strawberry and red fruit sales will recover once the stonefruit and melon seasons are over.” For more information:
Valckenier BVBA
Frank Valckenier
Kerkhofstraat 10
1760. Roosdaal-Pamel
Tel: +32 (0)475 682125
Magazijn Mabru
Quai des Usines 22-23 Halle E
Tel: +32 (0)2 241 50 54
www.mabru.be