The total import value of fruit and vegetables in the Netherlands was €6 billion. Extreme winter weather in Southern Europe caused less supply, higher prices and temporary shortages in the first quarter of 2017.
The Dutch production had varied successes in 2017. Growers of aubergine and tomatoes can review a good year, but the year wasn't as good for growers of cucumber or pepper compared to 2016. The demand for Dutch peppers in the UK did grow by nine percent. There was a smaller export to the US on the other hand (-18%).
Frost in the blooming period for apple and pear trees caused a strongly decreased harvest of apples and pears, in South Holland in particular. Despite this the turnover of the fruit production (including soft fruit) rose by seventeen percent to €0.8 billion.
Spain main source
The total value of the import of fresh fruit and vegetables is €6 billion and rose by six percent. Extreme winter weather in Southern Europe caused less supply, high prices and temporary shortages in a number of products like spinach in the first quarter of 2017. With sixteen percent Spain is the main foreign source of fruit and vegetables, followed by South Africa (14%) and Chile (9%). Grape, banana and avocado are the Top 3 import products.
Poland grows as a sales market
The export of fresh fruit and vegetables, including re-export, rose by an average of two percent to €9.6 billion. Fruit rose by four percent, vegetables by 1 percent. Germany remains the largest sales market for fruit and vegetables with a share of 38 percent and Poland is growing as a sales market. Dutch onions found their way to countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast and the UK in a higher amount.
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