“Hardly any demand yet for carrots outside Africa”

The carrot market is currently very calm, only Africa has been a good buyer since summer. “And that’s quite remarkable. It would be nice if it became a structural sales country, because many countries, such as Germany and Belgium, are becoming more and more self-supporting with local product,” says Ronald Gielleit from Top Fresh Handel.

Ronald Gielleit and Peter Matthijssen

Top Fresh has completely specialised in growing and processing ready-to-eat carrots for the national and international market. Last year, the company opened a new processing location in Kraggeburg, the Netherlands. “We buy and export throughout Europe. To serve customers year-round, we work closely with growers in Germany, the UK, France, Scandinavia, Italy, Spain and Israel. We offer the entire carrot range year-round, both conventional and organic.”

“A bit of organic product is currently being sold, but it isn’t very busy. The price isn’t even all that bad, 20 cents, although some growers are used to higher prices,” Ronald says. “In conventional trade it’s very calm, besides export to Africa, but that’s normal for the time of year, during which Europe is mostly self-supporting. For carrot sent to Africa, 8 to 9 cent is paid, but that price isn’t feasible for other destinations.”

“Nobody knows how the market will continue developing. The Dutch area has decreased, but abroad, where our business comes from after all, no less carrot is in stock. The yields appear to be good, but the product still has to be grubbed up. The situation could change at any moment if we are to get early frosts of wet weather. It would hardly be the first time!”

For more information:
Ronald Gielleit
Top Fresh Handel
Zuiderringweg 21
8317 RA Kraggenburg, NL
Tel: +31 (0)527 745 043
Fax: +31 (0)527 615 008
ronald@topfresh.nl
www.topfresh.nl