"The recent carrot season started with low prices. The demand from countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy changed this", says Jozef Cool van RJCool, a Belgian carrot and onion grower and wholesaler. The huge demand from these Southern European countries was due to the recent winter weather. "However, the weather changes quickly. Italy and Sicily are, once more, starting to have produce to offer. Spain will also soon be on the market again."
According to Jozef, "There are more carrots in Belgium than was initially thought. We even supplemented our carrots volumes. But, when you get a few bad batches, it is better to sell your own stock. The carrots we have now are of relatively good quality." This Manager at RJCool is of the opinion that Belgian carrot farmers are being left behind. Carrot prices are high in the Netherlands, but the Belgian market is not following suit. "The retailers do not want to pay higher prices. This is causing the market to die down. It could be that the retailers want to move over to the new carrots quickly. The old ones have become too expensive. The warmer weather is also playing a role here."
For the coming season, RJCool has sown almost double the number of carrots than before. "Both my sons are now fully involved in the business. They have been able to find more customers. I had to expand my acreage in order to accommodate my sons. You cannot always wait for the free market. That is why we have sown more of the carrots that can be stored, as well as the early carrots. It is difficult to predict what nature holds and what the prices will do", says Jozef.
"I have noticed that using social media is becoming increasingly important. Even in our own sector. I do not use Facebook. I do, however, see that it is being used more. We cannot be left behind. The world is shrinking, and we are coming into closer contact with foreign countries. The use of social media is a positive, good thing for trade", concludes Jozef.
For more information:
RJCool
116 Bevrijdingslaan
9200 Dendermonde
+32 (0) 52 212 505