The top fruit harvest has almost come to an end at Wolfcarius Fruit in West-Flanders. "At the moment we're working on the second picking of Jonagold and will head towards the end of the third picking next week. So far we're very happy about the quality and the size," says Yves Wolfcarius, who runs the company together with his brother Stephan. Wolfcarius has an area of 90 hectares and grows, stocks, packages and sells apples and pears. The fruit mainly goes to retail, wholesalers and small traders.
Pears - little price difference
"We are very satisfied when it comes to Conference," he continues. "The Doyenné du Comice was slightly disappointing in yield, but this was due to the weather during the blossoming period." Yves hopes that the price setting will be better this season. What is striking is that the pear prices are around the same for almost all sizes at the moment. Normally there is a clear difference between the large and small sizes, but right now it's minimal. The prices aren't great in general, but also aren't dramatic. We will see how the market for pears evolves."
Stephan and Yves Wolfcarius with their wives, who also both work in the company.
Apples - already under pressure
"The volume of apples is also very good and we can't complain about the sizes. An advantage this season was that the colouring ended up being okay. Due to the extreme weather in September we were slightly worried about this, but in recent weeks the difference between the day and night temperatures has increase and the colour of the apples is better than expected." It is disappointing in the area of price. "Apples are really struggling and prices are already under a lot of pressure." He is cautiously positive about the future. "The season has only just started, hopefully it will be better after new year."
Promotions
According to Yves it is sometimes better to trade domestically rather than exporting just now. "Retailers have strict demands, but we usually get a good price. You sometimes hear growers complain about promotions held for low prices, but I believe offers are occasionally necessary. It puts the product in the spotlight. If they are offered for the right prices in the rest of the year, I think the supermarket can promote them. Of course, we want to make something from our efforts."
According to Yves it is sometimes better to trade domestically rather than exporting just now. "Retailers have strict demands, but we usually get a good price. You sometimes hear growers complain about promotions held for low prices, but I believe offers are occasionally necessary. It puts the product in the spotlight. If they are offered for the right prices in the rest of the year, I think the supermarket can promote them. Of course, we want to make something from our efforts."
For more information:
Wolfcarius Fruit Supply Bvba
Bulmolenweg 7
8720 Markegem - Belgium
tel: +32 51 63 40 91
mob: +32 476 38 76 04
fax: +32 51 63 63 42
www.wolfcariusfruit.be
info@wolfcariusfruit.be