The search for new markets continues in Belgium. “One of those markets is Canada, where we’ll be promoting our Belgian vegetables again from 9 to 11 May, in cooperation with other auctions, VLAM and various Belgian exporters,” says Dominiek Keersebilck, Commercial Manager from REO Veiling. “During the CPMA, extra attention will be paid to bell pepper, chicory and leek, through the European programme.”
Free of sand
Chicory is a product that has been sold in Canada for years, but which still has much potential. “The country also has its own production, but that isn’t year-round. This market could definitely mean some growth for chicory and other vegetables in coming years. I look forward to learning about the experiences of the exporters. REO Veiling also ships leek and celeriac to Canada. Yet export is still a challenge. There are still some hurdles to overcome. For example, the Canadian market is afraid of nematodes, and they are very strict in their inspections for sand. Everything has to be completely free of sand. That’s not a problem for hydro chicory, but it’s different for products such as leek and celeriac. It’s almost impossible not to have sand on these products. Additional inspections are done now, and they’re even more thoroughly washed, but it’s still challenging,” Dominiek concludes.
“VLAM will be present at the CPMA in Canada, as part of the EU programme ‘Taste of Europe II.’ The participants at the fair are Vanco and Nicolaï as exporters, and BelOrta, Veiling Hoogstraten and REO Veiling will cooperate. Besides our Belgian fruit and vegetables, we are putting chicory, bell pepper and leek in the spotlight in particular. The CPMA is our starting shot for our new European campaign, which we will start for these three products for three years in Canada. During these three years, we will be promoting Belgian bell pepper, chicory and leek via tastings in shops in Canada. At the CPMA we want to introduce Canadian professionals to our new campaign,” according to Nele van Avermaet from VLAM.
Figures VLAM (and Eurostat)
The Belgian export of vegetables to Canada amounted to almost 2.3 million euro in 2007. That year, the volume was 1,127 tonnes. It is noticeable that the total export volume decreased somewhat in recent years. In 2010, there was an export peak of 1,238 tonnes of vegetables, of which bell pepper had the largest share. In the following years, the bell pepper share decreased. Other important products sent to Canada by Belgium are leek and chicory. The volume decreased over the years. In 2016, the total export volume to Canada amounted to 1,053 tonnes, of which 46 tonnes were bell pepper, 62 tonnes were leek and 268 tonnes were chicory. The year before that, it was 68 tonnes of bell pepper, 224 tonnes of leek and 251 tonnes of chicory. For more information:
Dominiek Keersebilck
REO Veiling
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
B-8800 Roeselare
Tel: +32 51 231 206
Fax: +32-51 231 289
www.reo.be