Belgian grapes: less supply every year

There are fewer grape growers in Belgium every year. "There are only 13 grape farmers left in Belgium. Many of these also do not have a successor", says grape grower, Ronald Vanderkelen.

"Nevertheless, the demand for Belgian grapes keeps rising. However, the farmers can not produce sufficient volumes", he says. "The increased demand causes high prices. These vary per grower from EUR12 to EUR16 per kg. Current prices are very high which is, of course, due to the high demand. There is no fixed market price for Belgian grapes. This is because most farmers sell the product themselves or go to market."

It is nearly the start of the Belgian grape season at various growers. Not so with Ronald Vanderkelen. This grape farmer starts selling grapes in mid-Augustus. "This year's grapes are looking extremely good. We had a lot of sun during the growth phase. We had to work hard to keep up. We are expecting a very good, albeit early, season thanks to all the sunlight", he says.

The grower has not had not any trouble with the dry weather. This is because he has his own water source. "Vanderkele did, however, take some measures to keep out the heat. These include whiting-out the greenhouses and watering the grapes well", explains Ronald.

There is no more investment in new varieties in Belgium. Grapes are also not being exported. This is due to the declining numbers of Belgian grape farmers. The Royal and the Leopold III are the most popular black grape varieties. For the white varieties, this is the Muskat and Baidor.

This grower has no successor. This is also is the case with seven or eight other grape farmers who are almost ready to retire. "It is a great pity to see growers disappearing every time. This, despite production being so good. Belgian grapes are nice and big and sweet. It would be a shame if this type of cultivation were to vanish", concludes Ronald.