"Tanzanian raspberries, Peruvian berries and Mexican blackberries coming"

The soft fruit market is in a transition period at the moment. "Most contracts for the winter season are starting this weekend," says commercial manager Ronald van Vossen of Fruit World. "The supply of strawberries started slightly earlier. The supply estimates show that there is another firm harvest on its way next week. This creates slightly more pressure and stress on the market. But when the volumes even out more and the programmes start to run, the market will soon find its way again."

Farm in Tanzania with Kilimanjaro in the background

Besides Dutch cultivation, Fruit World also sources raspberries from its partners in Spain, Portugal and Tanzania at the moment. "The cultivation in the Netherlands didn't go without problems. As a result of the changeable weather the raspberries don't have that long a shelf life. Next week the first shipments from our Tanzanian farm are planned. Traditionally we mainly sell to the door this first week, but then the export will burst loose. We are very satisfied with our cultivation in Tanzania. In December the first part of our second nursery will come into production, hopefully in a good sales period."

The volume of Dutch redcurrants is considerably lower at Fruit World this year. "Our growers have a 30-40% lower harvest due to frost. The prices are therefore starting at the same high level the last season ended with, but we will have to see whether the high prices will compensate for the lower harvest," says Ronald. "There aren't too many Dutch blueberries available anymore and the shelf life isn't that great in general. The prices are at a reasonably high level. We are therefore waiting for the Peruvian berries, whose season will start over the coming week."

For the imported blackberry season, Fruit World is working together with a Mexican cooperation that supplies them with blackberries from October to April/May. "Just like in other years we are expecting a stable growth in blackberries. More and more customers for the rest of the soft fruit are absorbing blackberries into their programmes as well," says the commercial manager. Finally, the 'specialties' such as pomegranate seeds and coconut chips from India are also taking a place in the assortment of Fruit World. "The pomegranate seeds are past their biggest hype, but are still a growing category. We receive coconut chips from the same supplier. Those sales really needed a reception period, but are now also taking set shapes."

For more information:
Ronald van Vossen
Fruit World
Tel: 0031 (0) 76 52 31 570
r.vanvossen@fruitworld.nl
www.fruitworld.nl