The kiwi berry harvest at Bernard Breman in Uffelte, Drenthe in the Netherlands came to an end about three weeks ago. "This year, we had a fantastic harvest with good quality fruit. We have considerably more volume than last year", says the grower.
Cultivation conditions also played along this year. "We had no frost damage this Spring. With nice warm weather and sufficient water supply, the berries grew well, " says Bernard. These conditions are very different from last year. Then, in April, night frost froze about 60% of the harvest.
This farmer switched to fruit cultivation eight years ago. Back then, he went looking for unique crops on the internet. He came across kiwi berry and tayberry cultivation. "Since then, sales have been going well. Over the years, we started using more and more land. We now have four acres. Eighty per cent is under kiwi berries because tayberries turned out to be very fragile. We can do little more with these berries than make juice from them", he explains.
"When we started, we had hardly any comparison material for the kiwi berry. It was, indeed, very exciting. However, I had such a good feeling about this fruit. I liked its taste and healthy qualities. But, their simplicity also spoke to me. The plants, themselves, are quite easy to maintain. They are strong and can take a bit of a beating", says Bernard.
From exotic product to local delicacy
"Before, the kiwi berries that were on the Dutch shelves were mainly imported from countries like China and Vietnam. This fruit, therefore, had a huge carbon footprint. This output was increased by the fact that they were not being imported in very large quantities. By growing kiwi berries here, in the Netherlands, these berries went from being an exotic product to a local delicacy", the farmer continues.
"We also had great weather during the harvest", says Bernard. His company mainly supplies the Hoogstraten Cooperative. The grower's sales are supplemented by regional stores and wholesalers in the area. "Sales to Hoogstraten is still in full swing. We are pleased; kiwi berries are slowly gaining popularity in the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond."
For more information:
Fruitteeltbedrijf B. Breman
1a Winkelsteeg
7975 PV Uffelte, Drenthe
Tel.: +31 (0) 655 140 930
info@kiwibes.nu
www.kiwibes.nu