Although the apples are of good quality, production is a bit low. "We are expecting a 70% crop, which is a bit on the low side", says Jos. "We have about six nights of frost. We did foresee for this, but it affected us quite badly. Night frost does not have to be disastrous. In 1991 we also had night frost, and got a full harvest without any additional irrigation, thanks to the very good blossoming weather that followed. This resulted in very good prices around Christmas."
Sales of summer apples are still quiet. "The holidays are late and we notice this. The shop is quieter and there is less interest from Germany. Sales are slow", says Jos. He is hoping for higher prices than last year. "Since it has been unusually hot and dry, we have had spray a lot against fruit moths, spiders and rust mites, which costs a lot. Since the harvest is smaller, I expect the prices to be higher. Hopefully we do not get any hail."
"We also have a 70% harvest for Conference pears. Unfortunately, an orchard of our pears were affected Pseudomonas after being irrigated. We do, however, have a good selection of sizes available."
For more information:Jos Hermans
Hermans Groenten en Fruit
Oude Roermondseweg 161
6049 AD Herten
info@hermansfruit.nl
www.hermansfruit.nl