The Spanish tomato season could be considered fairly extreme. “I’ve been in this trade for 38 years now, but I have never experienced anything this extreme,” says Ger Kingma from Hagé International. “Bad weather circumstances caused enormous shortages and sky-high prices. Furthermore, the slow start of the Dutch season because of the overcast skies during the first few months of the year ensures a good ending for the Spanish tomato export. The Netherlands is about 2.5 weeks behind, and that currently results in good demand for Spanish tomatoes.”
“Demand for tomatoes is good, and I expect more consumption because of the good weather,” Ger continues. “Vine tomatoes are fairly stable as regards prices, and they are fine, qualitatively. For the next two weeks, there will be even less supply of round tomatoes, because of, among other things, the bad weather on the Canary Islands. Cherry tomatoes are mediocre, qualitatively, but that was expected after the warm weather following two cold months. Many of the fruits have cracked because of this. Cherry plum tomatoes are in very short supply, and good money is paid for them, just as for plum tomatoes, of which supply is mediocre and demand is good.”
“I expect that we’ll be able to offer Spanish tomatoes to retail until week 13 or 14. Perhaps even a little bit in week 15, but that will be it. We can then look back on a challenging season, but I’m happy we could fill the orders of our permanent customers. Buyers had their chance after that. By now we are getting ready for the Spanish stone fruit season, which will start in week 18 or 19,” Ger concludes.
For more information:
Ger Kingma
Hagé International
Tel: +31 (0)180 657 702
G.Kingma@thegreenery.com
www.hage-international.nl