"Future top fruit year better with regard to quality and price"

The last apple harvest is being brought in right now. "This week, everything will be brought in,” expects Zweer van Aalsbrug of FruitMasters. He is satisfied with the harvest. “It was dry and warm, so the apple picking went perfectly. The colour and quality is much better than last year. Our producers had a lot less hail damage, but that is not the whole picture in this country.”

“Here and there, a cooling unit remains empty. This shows that the harvest has been smaller this year and it results in less pressure on the market. Last year, the industry started with high prices, but then the prices decreased. Now, the bottom of the market shows an increase and this results in a stable demand that quietens the market,” Zweer continues. “We have higher sales figures for consumption fruit than last year as well. This is partly due to the tastier fruit with a high brix concentration. The stock of consumption fruit in Limburg and Belgium will be smaller due to the heavy hail damage. All these factors together will create a better future market.”

“I am positive about pears as well. The same situation applies here as with the apples with regard to stocks and prices. Poland is already on the market for the Conference pear. The export to the United Kingdom, Germany, and new destinations is successful as well. The price for Conference pears is about the 50-65 cents, the smaller sizes, however, have higher prices than last year.” 

“The prices for Elstar apples are between 50 and 65 cents, depending on the size, but this week the 80’s (Prestige) were sold on the auction for €1.05. The price of the Jonagold is around 50 cents. The apple market is mainly aimed at the national market,” says Zweer. “All in all, I’m quite optimistic about the near future. All top fruit was put on an empty market and the sales are relatively smooth.”